Ladies National Trophy St Ives 4 Stevenage 1 WHILE the footballers of St Ives Town take the plaudits for their run in the FA Vase, the town s ladies hockey club have already bettered their achievement. St Ives are now in the last eight of the National T

Ladies National Trophy

St Ives 4 Stevenage 1

WHILE the footballers of St Ives Town take the plaudits for their run in the FA Vase, the town's ladies' hockey club have already bettered their achievement.

St Ives are now in the last eight of the National Trophy by virtue of the weekend's comprehensive triumph.

In a dominant first half the home side reached the break with a two-goal lead, courtesy of a penalty corner strike from Ally Brennan followed by a neat strike by Alexis Palmer.

Slack play at the start of the second half gave Stevenage a lifeline as they netted from close in but St Ives soon regained the ascendancy.

Excellent wing play from player of the match Kate Slater saw St Ives push deeper into opposition territory and a brace from Louise Smith rounded off an excellent weekend for St Ives.

St Ives will face Tulse Hill and Dulwich Ladies in the quarter-finals on February 24.

In the NE14Hockey East Women's league match the previous day, St Ives entertained a well-organised Norwich Union side.

Goals from Smith, Helen Clarke and Amanda Holland gave the home side an excellent 3-1 victory over the Union side and a vital three points.

The home side took a first-half lead through Smith but allowed the visitors into the game early in the second half and but for some great work by keeper Tracy Rippon they might have snatched the advantage.

A great solo effort from the 25-yard line by Clarke settled the nerves and it was left to Holland to open her account for the club from close range to complete the scoring.

St Ives II remain in a good spot for promotion as they swept aside Deeping 2-1 thanks to a player of the match performance from Carly Mann and goals from Alex Fowler and Theresa Jackaman.

St Ives III recorded an excellent 3-0 win at Peterborough, while St Neots Ladies III visited Broxbourne and came away 3-2 winners with goals from Charlie Gillam, Chris Deeks and Paula Bingham