Helen Clarke was a hat-trick heroine as St Ives Ladies firsts boosted their survival hopes by winning a bottom-of-the-table battle on Saturday.

The Hunts Post: St Ives Ladies 1st Hockey v WattonSt Ives Ladies 1st Hockey v Watton (Image: Archant)

They saw off fellow strugglers Watton 4-2 in the East Women’s League Division One North to collect a second win of the season.

Claire Patemen laid on early goals for Clarke and Sally King and they were firmly in control when Clarke grabbed her second.

Ives gifted Watton a reply before the break and the visitors struck again with 10 minutes remaining, but any thoughts of a collapse were ended when Clarke completed her hat-trick in the closing stages.

Anna Banks hit the only goal as St Ives Ladies seconds edged out City of Peterborough thirds in Division Three North West (South), but the Ladies thirds went down 3-0 to table-topping Cambridge City thirds at the same level.

The Hunts Post: St Ives Ladies 1st Hockey v WattonSt Ives Ladies 1st Hockey v Watton (Image: Archant)

St Ives fourths were the only victorious team from the club’s stable of men’s sides. They broke their away hoodoo as youngsters Nathan Jones and Chris Addis hit early goals in a 2-1 success at Cambridge South 4ths in Division Five North West of the East Men’s League.

St Ives thirds were warned to expect a tough, physical test against promotion-chasing Cambridge City Vets and they got exactly that.

Ross Basser and Simon Rees hit the equalisers as the Ives outfit twice came from behind to earn a highly creditable 2-2 draw.

The men’s firsts remain bottom of Division One after a 6-0 defeat at Chelmsford seconds while the seconds struggles continued in a 3-1 defeat at Wisbech seconds in Division Three North West.

The Hunts Post: St Ives Ladies 1st Hockey v WattonSt Ives Ladies 1st Hockey v Watton (Image: Archant)

Bradley Young did halve their arrears following a penalty corner and Dave Emery missed a good chance to equalise before the home side struck again on a breakaway to seal victory.

Ely City thirds proved too strong for St Ives fifths who went down 3-1 despite a Miles Jones goal.