Women’s County Champions Hertfordshire so nearly lost their first game in this year’s finals at Chelmsford. A goal down to Durham for over half the game, they were saved by the effervescent Harriet Preest who spun on a sixpence in mid-circle and popped in an equaliser minutes from time. The champions had dominated for most of the first half but Durham, counter-attacking at speed, snatched the lead through Shelly Harrison and thereafter were highly competitive. Dorset, last year’s runners-up, opened with a 2-0 win over Combined Services, Kelly Taylor and Hannah Worth scoring in the second half. But in hot sunshine, Dorset, struggled in their second full length game in the day. They came unstuck against Cumbria who celebrated their first appearance in the finals at the 37 year old championship, with a 3-0 win. Julie Hope, in the Cumbrian attack, was always a threat and scored a well taken goal. Kath Sherlock and captain Vicky Jones (penalty) were Cumbria’s other scorers.
