On Sunday, 24 April, two teams from the Ceredigion Hockey League made sporting history by playing in the Welsh Challenge Cup final in Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.Clwb Hoci Castell Newydd Emlyn (pictured) were victorious on the day in a 4-1 battle against their fellow league rivals Llandysul.

It was a glorious exhibition of hockey, with both sides digging deep. Castell Newydd Emlyn were the first to score with Enfys Davies taking a shot at goal from the top of the D, hitting the back of the net and putting them 1-0 after 10 minutes. They held on to the lead up until the final few minutes of the first half, when Tracy Davies of Llandysul made her usual sweeping run towards the goal sending both teams to the break with a 1-1 draw. The second half started with Llandysul making numerous breaks from midfield but the Castell Newydd Emlyn defence stood defiant every time. Castell Newydd Emlyn consolidated their earlier lead with another goal by Enfys Davies. With 20 minutes of the game still to play Castell Newydd Emlyn looked to be the stronger side as the Emlyn defence broke down all attacks from the middle sending Llandysul to the wings and securing the ball time after time. To Llandysul’s dismay it was Emlyn to score next, this time from Beca Gatehouse the captain, with a wonderful drive down the left side and chipping in from deflection into the Llandysul goal. Llandysul, current league champions, had another chance getting a short corner with about five minutes to spare but Angharad Jones, the Emlyn goalkeeper, cleared away. Emlyn finished in style with a hat-trick from Enfys Davies to send Emlyn into the history books. It was an enjoyable day for players and supporters on both sides.