KNUTSFORD Hockey Club ladies came out on top against lowly Rhyl on Saturday.

The 2-0 success sees them retain their fifth-place position in Cheshire Women's Hockey League Division Two.

Jess Flack and Gill Lunt scored the all-important goal as the team backed up victories in the previous two weeks against Deeside Ramblers (2-1) and cellar dwellers Sale Ladies (2-0).

There was a somewhat nervous feel to the warm up, though, with knowledge of Rhyl’s previous draw with Neston weighing on the team's collective mind.

A strong start was made, however, with Knutsford capitalising on a short corner in the first half, Flack pouncing on a rebound to take Knutsford into the lead.

After that there was action at both ends of the pitch.

Knutsford came under pressure from numerous short corners but defended these successfully with some excellent saves from Lucy White.

Knutsford failed to capitalise on numerous breaks into the D until Lunt, on a typical searing run, slotted the ball past the keeper at the most unlikely of angles with all the fervour of someone who mistakenly thought the score stood at 0-0.

A visit to fourth-placed Macclesfield seconds awaits this Saturday.

The club's men's team produced a 4-0 away win against Keswick at the weekend and are preparing to host Alderley Edge seconds in North Hockey League West Division Two on Saturday.

Alderley, fourth in the table, and Knutsford, fifth, share the same goal difference.

While the hosts have the better defence, the visitors have the stronger attack and so it should make for an interesting contest at Knutsford Sport Club, 2pm.