HOCKEY NE14 Hockey East Men s League Division 2N Bedford Town II 0 St Ives 4 ANY complacency St Ives might have shown last week against Norwich was quickly blown away with a workmanlike performance against lowly Bedford. From the outset the visitors dicta

HOCKEY

NE14 Hockey East Men's League Division 2N

Bedford Town II 0

St Ives 4

ANY complacency St Ives might have shown last week against Norwich was quickly blown away with a workmanlike performance against lowly Bedford.

From the outset the visitors dictated the style and tempo of the game and opened the scoring with a trademark penalty corner routine finished off by Ben Scarrow.

For the remainder of the half, St Ives continued to look good and although Bedford had a couple of breakaway chances, the visiting defence never really looked troubled. Coming out after the break St Ives were in complete control with the opposition midfield unable to contain Chris Duncan and man of the match Joe Brennan who, despite playing out of position, added the second goal from the edge of the penalty circle.

A fortunate third goal came quickly after with Matt Pluke's reverse stick shot-cum-cross helped in by an accommodating Bedford defender.

Any Bedford comeback looked futile with the St Ives back line defending manfully and captain Iain McIntosh putting his body on the line on several occasions. The final goal was again a little fortunate with Dave Land's wayward shot beating the goalkeeper courtesy of a Bedford defender's foot but the scoreline by no means flattered St Ives.

Next week sees the top-of-the-table clash with visitors Ipswich III needing to win to keep their title aspirations alive and St Ives looking to finish the season in style.

* The derby between St Ives II and St Neots II saw both sides needing maximum points to keep their dwindling promotion hopes alive, but the point apiece in this highly entertaining encounter helped neither.

St Ives conceded the game's first goal early in the second period but fought back with a goal from Barry Wickson to share the spoils.

* St Ives III had Jamie Hall and Scott Perry to thank for the goals that beat Boston 2-0 and Adam Maltby and Barry Izard notched one each as Saints IV won 2-1 against St Neots III. St Ives V recorded a solid 4-0 win at Peterborough VIII, while St Ives Ladies went down 2-1 at home to Watton.