SLOUGH Hockey Club ladies 2s finished their season with an impressive 1-1 draw against Newbury & Thatcham on Saturday.

Slough faced the enormous task of keeping out the visitor’s prolific strike force, which has averaged five goals a game, and breaking their lean defence, which has only conceded 15 times all season.

The hosts took a deserved lead when a forward drive involving Avneet Dhandwar, Marissa Pritchard and Jaspreeet Hullait was smoothly put away by Rajvina Nijjer on 19 minutes.

Slough held onto their advantage until the hour mark when one of Newbury’s attacks paid dividends and they equalised with a great short-corner strike.

Suddenly the host’s defence looked concerned, which led to a frantic final 10 minutes, though they did manage to frustrate Newbury and in doing so become only the second team this year to take points off the champions.

The result means Slough finish in sixth position in Trysports Hockey League Division One and, given that the squad is made up of young players with only a couple of seasons under their belts, it is a testimony to their spirit and the leadership of captain Tracy Mitton.

Slough Hockey Club will be running a third ladies team in the 2014-15 season. It will be a veterans side, that will also be a great entry level where young players can develop.

Players of all abilities and ages are welcome to come and try out for the time. If interested e-mail sloughhc@live.co.uk.

**SEE Friday’s Observer for a complete hockey round up including pictures from the Burnham Hockey Club tournament** **FOLLOW the Observer on Twitter at @Observer_sports**