AN inspired performance from captain Vikki Bendle went unrewarded as Chess Valley suffered a 4-3 defeat away at Burnt Ash in the Printwize East League on another unseasonably warm Saturday.

The home side had the advantage of a huge squad of players to select from, while Chess were again hampered by a lack of availability.

The Kent side went ahead through a well-worked short corner routine, but Chess replied through open play when a Sue Cemlyn-Jones pass across the top of the circle found Bendle who fired a first-time strike into the net.

Burnt Ash went ahead again through a set piece from a corner, but Chess again equalised through a second Bendle strike from a corner.

After the break Chess took the lead for the first time when Bendle completed her hat-trick with a fine individual run.

Although Chess had dominated the game throughout and had played better hockey, Burnt Ash equalised, when the Chess keeper was unsighted, and then scored the winner against a tired and beleaguered Chess side.

It was a bitter defeat for Chess to swallow as they felt they had been the better side throughout the match.

November 6, 2001 10:30