A women's hockey club is licking its wounds after being beaten by a men’s XI in a charity match.

Kidlington Ladies Hockey Club are currently topping Trysports Three Counties League Division 5, having won their first six games of the 2008/09 season.

But they were stopped in their tracks by the newly-formed Kidlington Lads Army.

Assistant coach Nicola Wheeler, 22, of Cromwell Way, Kidlington, said: “Unfortunately we lost 3-1 in the end.

“They scored three goals in the first 15 or 20 minutes.

“We were a bit shocked to be honest, but we started to play better and in the last 15 minutes we got one back.

“They came hard and fast and were too skilful – they were the better side.

“It’s a shame, but the atmosphere was brilliant.

“We had a really good turnout — there were about 150 people watching, including a lot of people who we don’t normally see.”

The match, at Kidlington and Gosford Sports Centre on Sunday, was in aid of Oxford’s Helen and Douglas House hospice. So far donations have reached £1,682.68.

Club captain Laura Wheeler, 27, was unable to play because of an injury. She said: “I’m gutted we didn’t win — the lads have got a year’s worth of bragging rights.

“It was nice to be able to be a spectator, but very frustrating — I lost my voice on the sidelines.”

After the match, there was a raffle in the Black Horse pub.

Landlord Kevin McEneaney, 30, who played in the match, also provided food for the players.

Kidlington Lads Army captain Daryl Fathers, 35, who lives in Banbury Road, Kidlington, put the victory down to his players’ experience on the football pitch, because most of them were novice hockey players.

He said: “We weren’t expecting to win, but we gelled together as a team quite quickly.

“It was a great game, played in good spirits.”

Helen and Douglas House hospice provides care for children and young adults with life-shortening conditions and their families.

Sisters Nicola and Laura thanked everyone who had supported the event, which they said could become an annual fixture.

Further donations can be made at justgiving.com/kidlingtonhockey tshepherd@oxfordmail.co.uk