Hockey: Brigg beaten by Doncaster in relegation six-pointer

Doncaster, without a National League match over the weekend, fielded a strong team, but it was Brigg who took the lead when Josh Kirk scored in open play.

At that stage it was no more than Brigg deserved and it gave them a clear upsurge in confidence. Kirk followed up a cross from Andrew Morris to plant his shot in the middle of the Doncaster goal with a shot from close range.

However, it was not long before the home side equalised as Brigg’s defensive organisation and marking let them down badly with players left free in the circle.

Worse was to come when Doncaster added a second goal as Brigg’s lazy defending at a short corner was caught out.

Doncaster were then awarded a penalty stroke and clinically converted the set piece for a 3-1 lead.

Andrew Reid pulled one back for Brigg thanks to Andrew Dixon’s pass to give the visitors a chance of snatching a point late on.

But it proved a false dawn as the home side, who lie just above Brigg in the table, maintained their single-goal advantage until the final whistle.

* Brigg men’s Second XI lost 4-3 to Doncaster Thirds, while the men’s fourth team lost to Kingston-Upon-Hull.

* After their best win of the season against Leeds University the previous week, Brigg Ladies’ first team were all at sea when they travelled to Bridlington.

The visitors were held to a 1-1 draw by very moderate opposition.

Bridlington repeatedly broke up play to stifle attacks from Brigg who had all the stick skills, but failed to apply sustained pressure.

Lorraine Dickon got the Brigg goal following a short corner.