Welcome to the all-new Leeds Roses round-up blog!Â
We aim to give a month-by-month overview of the Roses’ progression through the WNIHL Division 2 North season.
The season commenced for Leeds Roses at the end of September ’23, with Roses picking up wins in the first three games against Sheffield Shadows (3-2), Widnes Wild (8-2) and Grimsby Wolves (11-0).  Leeds Roses entered 2024 as one of two teams still undefeated sitting in second with a 3-0-0 record.
January 2024
Roses vs Telford Wrekin Raiders - 13/1/24
Roses welcomed the Telford Wrekin Raiders on 13th January with the game sponsored by Eh! Hockey. Last season against the Raiders, we had two closely contested games (a 3-3 draw and a 4-2 loss), with Raiders finishing 3rd overall in the Northern D2 league, and Roses finishing fourth. We knew this time around would be an equally thrilling derby.
Taylor Simmonds (Roses) opened the scoring 1:21 into the game with a shot on net from just over centre ice. Michelle Marziak (Raiders) tied up the game a quarter of the way into the first period. Just over halfway through the period, Roses jumped back ahead with Simmonds setting up Morgan Walker.
The second period saw Raiders scoring five goals in the frame, taking a 6-2 lead into the third period. After an ice cut, a refocused Roses team quickly scored 9 seconds into the period. They took a few trips to the penalty box, stifling a comeback, though successfully killed off all penalties in the game. Raiders scored their 7th goal at 9:03. The final score was 7-3 for Telford.
Roses Goaltender Megan Quigley started the game, with back-up goalie, Amanda Usher, coming in to play the last four minutes of the 2nd period in which she shut the door denying all four shots she faced. Quigley rebounded during the ice cut to return for the third and show her resiliency, having faced 36 shots on the evening. The game also saw Roses (and first senior) debuts for juniors Nadia Molenda and Eve Sadler.
Roses' Scoring Line:
Taylor Simmonds -Â 2G, 1A
Morgan Walker - 1G, 1A
Alia Drewery - 1A
Roses vs Kingston Diamonds - 20/1/24
Kingston Diamonds visited Planet Ice Leeds on 20th January to make up the original home opener of the Roses from 14 October. The game was sponsored by DMHL Photography.
With a loss the week before, the Roses weren’t going to wilt. Blasting out of the gate, Roses Captain, CJ Harrison, opened the scoring 27 seconds into the game. Sarah Rowlands (A), Alia Drewery and Morgan Walker added a goal each, as Harrison notched up her second goal of the game to end the first period leading 5-0.
Walker started off the scoring in the second period 47 seconds in. She completed her hat-trick four minutes later. Rowlands chipped in her second of the game before Kingston got on the board with a PP goal. Taylor Simmonds added a goal in the period, adding her name to the game sheet. Harrison’s hat-trick tally came with 5:19 left in the second, and Walker added 2 more goals in the second to bring her to 5 goals in the game. End of the second period saw the score 12-1 for the Roses.
The third period had less of a goal flurry with Harrison adding two more goals, giving her a total of 5 goals on the night. Kingston added an even strength goal to see the final score 14-2 over the Diamonds.
Megan Quigley started the game and faced 18 shots before sharing the net halfway through the game with Amanda Usher who saw 7 shots in the dominating win by the Roses.
Roses debut for Rachel Adkins.
Roses' Scoring Line:
CJ Harrison (C) - 5G, 7A
Morgan Walker - 5G, 2A
Sarah Rowlands (A) - 2G, 3A
Taylor Simmonds - 1G
Alia Drewery - 1G
Tori Johnson - 1A
Kim Sharples - 1A
Roses Dev vs Sheffield Shadows Dev - 27/1/24
27th January saw the Roses Development squad take on the Sheffield Shadows Dev Squad in a return game from 12th November (where Roses took the win, 4-0).
Several of our Roses Juniors were rostered for the game and factored into the game early on with a star performance from Sophie Lancashire getting the scoring going, then adding her second goal of the game ten minutes later.Â
Defender, Michelle Ross, scored the Roses' third goal 30 seconds after the 2nd, and Lancashire completed her hat-trick a few minutes later. Kim Sharples, defender, closed out the scoring in the first period to give a 5-0 lead for the Roses.Â
Lancashire added two more goals in the second period to give the Roses a 7-0 lead heading into the 3rd. The Shadows kept competing the entire game and were rewarded with a goal by Holly Brookes, setup by Sukhir Ghag. Final score was 7-1 for the Roses.
Amanda Usher was in net and was unbeatable until the third period from a persistent Shadows side.
Debut for the Roses: Jade Smiles, Diana Szollosiova, Grace Eggett, Rachael Whittaker.
Roses' Scoring Line:
Sophie Lancashire - 5G
Michelle Ross - 1G
Kim Sharples - 1G
Nadia Molenda - 2A
Grace Eggett - 2A
Rose Abbott - 1A
Jasmine Tolson - 1A
Leeds Roses have amazing sponsors this season and, in January, we got to highlight Eh! Hockey and DMHL Photography.
Eh! Hockey is a kit repair specialist based in Wakefield. We don’t think there is a repair she couldn’t handle! Over the last 2.5 seasons, she has been bench-side during games and offering a quick repair or touch-ups at training. They've also sorted in between ice session repairs, customisations and modifications for our players and coaches. Check them out on Facebook, Instagram, or their website: ehhockey.co.uk
DMHL Photography is a photographer and videographer based in Leeds, specialising in sport and landscapes. Dan has been the Leeds Roses photographer since the club was established and has captured fantastic photos and amazing memories for the club and players. Visit his Facebook or Instagram page for more information. Contact DMHL to book your event.