All the thrill of competitive games but with extra passion for delighted St Neots

St Neots Hockey Club's men go head to head. (Image: Tim Bettsworth)

Previously intra-club friendlies were often little more than a chance to introduce new players or a new structure to a team.

Kira Herbert (centre) defending for St Neots seconds against the first team. (Image: Tim Bettsworth)

But since the absence of any hockey for months, these carried a little passion than in the past.

Ben Seaber on his way to scoring the first of his three goals. (Image: Tim Bettsworth)

The men got things going with a mix of first and second-team players battled it out in a testy affair. Former ones keeper Ben Seaber continues to enjoy his time in the outfield as he notched a hat-trick while father and son Iain and Luca Moor each scored for the bibs as the teams finished 3-3.

Luca Moor on his way to score (Image: Tim Bettsworth)

Iain Moor then took on umpiring duties in a similar game for the ladies which went back and forth before ending in a 6-3 win for the firsts.

All smiles for Iain Moor's (right) first game as umpire. (Image: Tim Bettsworth)

Kira Herbert, Olivia Croner and skipper Paula Bingham were on target for the seconds while for the firsts, there was a hat-trick from their captain Caz Osborne and one each for Sue Glover, Millie Payne and Eleanor Pybus.

Kira Herbert (centre) defending for St Neots seconds against the first team. (Image: Tim Bettsworth)

Academy coach and men’s player Jonathan Perceval said: "It was great to be playing again and have that feeling of a well-deserved rest after putting in a hard 70 minutes’ effort.”

Millie Payne enjoys her goal for the second team. (Image: Tim Bettsworth)

Paula Bingham scores the last goal of the game for St Neots seconds. (Image: Tim Bettsworth)

First and second-team captains Paula Bingham (left) and Caz Osborne (right) fight for the ball. (Image: Tim Bettsworth)

The first of Caz Osborne's three goals. (Image: Tim Bettsworth)