THE area's leading ladies hockey club has had to withdraw from its first team league fixtures due to a lack of players.

Colwall Women's Hockey Club was due to play the opening game in the West Clubs Womens League Premier Division One last Saturday at Redland but could not put out a team.

The Herefordshire side finished fifth in the division last season but have only retained three players from last year's first team due to players moving away, retirements and lack of interest.

Fixture secretary Jackie Styles said the first XI was struggling for a team and hoped a number of younger players would help out but when the reality of the travelling time and expense involved became apparent there was not enough support.

"Its very sad but there was no alternative but to disband the side," she said.

One of the unfortunate things for Colwall is that due to league restructuring next season no teams from the first XI's division will be relegated, so even if Colwall had struggled and finished bottom they would still be at the same level next season with a breathing space to try and rebuild.

Jackie said: "I know its no fun losing every week but it would have given us a bit of space."

The team's fixtures in the Premier Division One this season would have seen the Colwall players as far away as Bristol, Exeter, Taunton, Bournemouth and St Austell.

The club's second team's home fixtures in Severn Division Two will still be played at Ledbury Leisure Centre throughout the season with the team now playing under Colwall.

In their first match last Saturday they drew 2-2 at home to Dursley and tomorrow (Saturday) visit Wooton Bassett.