WREXHAM 1
RUTHIN LADIES 2
HOLDERS Ruthin Ladies are once again on the charge in the Welsh Shield.
The Vale side secured a spot in the quarter-finals after edging out hosts Wrexham on Sunday.
This was a closely-fought contest and it was Ruthin who struck first after an attack down the right resulted in Nia Hughes converting with an unstoppable strike.
Ruthin’s defence remained resilient and Stefi Argenio was in fine form dealing calmly with any Wrexham threat.
Speedy Eleri Jones displayed her talents on the right wing with excellent tackling to regain possession and she made exceptional attacking runs providing ball in the D, however the visitors were unable to convert these chances.
Ruthin continued to press in the second half with Sian Edwards outstanding, but her side was still unable to further their lead.
Ten minutes into the second half and Wrexham levelled from a penalty corner.
Ruthin responded in fine fashion and with two minutes to go they gained their reward.
Linda Harrison dispossessed a Wrexham player and provided the ball out wide for Eleri Jones.
She beat several players and crossed the ball into D and after a scramble in front of goal, her sister Nan Jones was on hand to convert a dramatic winner.
Ruthin will entertain Dysynni in the last-eight.
These two sides had a good look at each other in a league meeting on Saturday, with Division One leaders Dysynni claiming a 6-2 win.
Claerwen Render and Linda Harrison twice levelled for Ruthin, before the hosts took control with three goals in the space of 10 minutes.
Elsewhere, normal service was resumed as Denbigh continued their relentless charge towards a hat-trick of North West Hockey League promotions.
A week after dropping their first points of the season with a draw at Neston South Wirral, Division Eight (South) leaders Denbigh were back to their best with an 11-0 trouncing of bottom-of-the-table Wrexham Glyndwr.
Simon Williams led the charge with a four-goal haul, while Dougie Lonsdale added a hat-trick into the mix.
Also on the scoresheet for the hosts were Lee Humphreys, Chris Staniforth (2) and Joe Turner.
The result means that Denbigh remain a point clear of Timperley in the table with just five games left.