IN a week of two losses and a draw for Abergavenny Hockey Club, a pair of the town’s umpires brightened the pitch for a great cause.

Nia Johns and Sharon Phillips wore pink shirts in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which aims to highlight the importance of breast awareness, education and research.

However, their luminous umpires and playing at home wasn’t quite enough for Abergavenny Ladies teams to garner any wins.

Ladies Seconds suffered a disappointing 4-0 loss to Whitchurch Saints Fifths. The away team came out strong and with great passing, and though the home team showed some good play and opportunities to score, the ball just didn’t quite find the back board. Eliza Atkins was named by opposition as Player of the Match.

Ladies Firsts went head to head against Carmarthen. Both teams started strong and both keepers were put through their paces, but Abergavenny were the first to get on the score sheet. Carmarthen made full of their substitutes, in the second half working the ball around Abergavenny’s bare 11. Two goals by Carmarthen put the visitors ahead, but the home team pulled it back in the last five minutes and converted a short corner into a goal. The match finished 2-2, a fair result of a great battle.

Abergavenny Mens suffered their first loss in a good while, leaving their match against Evesham & Bardsey 3-0. One player down from a full team, the first half saw some great but unlucky defensive play from Aber. Whatever was said at half time by captain Chris Taylor did the trick – the second half saw an impressive return to form, with Abergavenny not allowing Evesham any chance of a goal though tiredness made converting some great runs just out of reach.