St Ives proved they can mix it . . . by making dramatic progress in a national competition.

The club’s mixed side prevailed 4-2 on penalty flicks following a 1-1 deadlock against Bourne Deeping in the second round of the England Hockey Mixed Cup.

Goalkeeper Alex Ginns made a series of vital saves in the shoot-out to secure their passage. Mike England had earlier muscled his way through a goalmouth scramble to level for St Ives in the second half.

St Ives Ladies 1sts refused to take their feet off the pedal despite having promotion in the bag in Division Two North-West of the East Women’s League – although they had to come from behind to extend their unbeaten record to 19 matches

Second-half goals from captain Helen Clarke and Vicky Leighton earned a 2-1 success against Long Sutton 1sts. The Saints side now need only one win from their three remaining fixtures to clinch the title.

Abby Scarrow and Ellie Burgess hit the goals as St Ives Ladies 2nds drew 2-2 at promotion rivals Bourne Deeping 1sts in Division Three North-West while the 3rds crashed 3-0 against Bury St Edmunds 3rds in Division Four North-West (South).

St Ives Men’s 5ths were the only male team in the club to taste success last Saturday. They beat Ely City 3rds 3-1 in a bottom of the table clash in Division Six North-West (South) will Yaw Kwateng among the goals.

Howard Jones struck twice as the 4ths went down 8-3 to March 2nds in Division Five North-West while the already-relegated 3rds tumbled 6-2 against Bourne Deeping 3rds one level higher.

And the 2nds are fast running out of time to save their Division Three North-West status.

They are five points from safety with three games remaining after a 3-0 loss at promotion-chasing Ely City 1sts.

Adam Horlock starred as St Neots Men’s 3rds claimed top-of-the-table success in the East Men’s League last Saturday. Horlock hit four of the goals in a 5-3 success at Division Six North-West (South) leaders City of Peterborough 8ths.

Lee Folbigg also found the net to leave them three points behind their victims in the title race.

The 1sts also triumphed against City of Peterborough opposition, beating their 5ths 4-2 thanks to goals from Dan Sutton (2), David Humphrey and Adam Maltby in Division Three North-West.

The 2nds’ bid to complete a perfect season is still on track. The Division Five North-West champions roared to a 19th successive victory when edging out Bourne Deeping 4ths 3-2.

St Neots Ladies 1sts and 3rds were both beaten in the East Ladies League. Amy Wilkinson did briefly fire the 1sts onto level terms in a 5-1 loss against Cambridge University 2nds in Division Two North-West while the 3rds went down 2-0 to Ely City 2nds in Division Four North-West (South).

The 2nds fared better in the Five Counties League, sinking Potters Bar 2nds 3-2.