A GUTSY performance by a largely inexperienced Chepstow side was not enough to prevent promotion-chasing Cardiff University claiming a comfortable victory.

Left wing Anna Mayo scored Chepstow's consolation goal and the result leaves the Monmouthshire side mid-table in the South Wales Women's Hockey League second division.

It's been a difficult year since Chepstow were relegated from the first division, said Linsey Tucker.

A couple of players have had time off after having babies, another has left to take up a new job in Belfast and another has taken to supporting from the sidelines because of major illness.

In their places they have hard-working but inexperienced players who have joined from Chepstow and Wyedean schools.

Linsey said: "It's been a difficult year but when you have a season like this it helps to build up the team spirit.

"We've got players from 14-years-of-age right up to 50."

"The university teams are always hard to beat and everyone gave 110 per cent.

"Hannah (Moore) did a great job stepping up from vice-captain to take the place of Hannah Williams who was on holiday.

"Hannah is a fantastic captain and is really missed when she's not there – she gets all over the field and leads from the front."

Despite the scoreline, Chepstow's player of the match was keeper Brodie Knox.

Linsey said: "She was down making lots of saves."

The match was umpired by Pat Morris who has been with the club for 50 years.

The club trains on the astroturf at Chepstow Leisure Centre every Wednesday between 8pm and 9pm and new players are always welcome.

For more information search online for Chepstow Ladies' Hockey Club or visit their Facebook page.