Happy New Year to one and all from all at Dartmouth Hockey Club.

The Dartmouth ladies are back in action this Saturday, against Newton Abbot with a 10.45am push back at Kingsbridge Community College.

The last time the two teams met, Dartmouth lost by two late goals, so they will want to reverse that score.

Matt Putt will be putting the Dartmouth ladies through their paces in training and skipper Lisa Ansell will give the ladies all the encouragement they will need during training and before the match this weekend.

Dartmouth will want to put their luckless 2017 behind them and kick-start the new year into winning ways.

Dartmouth will be without Jamie Streeter-Rendle for the rest of the season and will miss Jamie’s involvement and her many different positions on the pitch. Jamie’s position will be hard to fill, but fill it Dartmouth must.

Sam Webb will be a willing volunteer to step up to the plate and with Alice Sharam fully fit she could replace Sam’s free role.

Dartmouth will have to call upon stalwart Julie Pillar again in what will be Julie’s first game as Granny Pillar. Make no mistake, Julie will give it her all and will endeavour to keep the left-hand side of defence as quiet as possible.

Rosie Caunter will also return for Dartmouth; Rosie has a swan-like performance every time she plays and is a good, calming influence in the back four. Red Seven (Sarah Barrett) will put her very high standard game into action and Sarah will be champing at the bit to get back on the pitch and feed both Alix Vincent and Lisa Ansell up front.

Ellie Malley will want to keep a clean sheet and with Alicia Wadeson shoring up the right-hand side of defence that should help the Dartmouth goalkeeper with a clean sheet.

Freya Bradley is fit and raring to go, as are Charley Langman and Roseanne Perry. Hopefully Ellie Langman will be back as she is a vital link for Dartmouth. Mandy Servan will keep Newton busy on the left wing and Lisa Ansell will be running left, right and centre, with Alix Vincent also aiming to keep the Newton defence busy.

As you will see on paper, Dartmouth should kick-start 2018. With a fair wind and no more injuries, Dartmouth have the rest of the season to turn things around and play for the shirt.