A mixture of friendlies and league clashes saw St Neots go into the Christmas break with some hockey under their belts.
Stars of the day, as they have been for the majority of the season so far, were the ladies’ fifth team who claimed a 6-2 success at Harpenden.
The pair had gone into the game as the top two in Division Eight South West of the East Hockey League but the victory, their eighth in a row, means Saints are now 10 points clear.
Player of the match Georgina Bettsworth’s reverse-stick flick from a short corner was the pick of her three goals while Aoife Stokes chipped in with one and Ruby Lane two in what was another superb team performance.
The first and seconds came together for a friendly and there was little to separate the two until Caroline Osborne smashed a thunderbolt into the corner from the top of the D.
She almost did the same in the second half but second-team captain, Paula Bingham, was able to deflect it onto the frame of the goal.
The seconds also created some great chances but were unable to penetrate an impressive back-line in a good-spirited but extremely competitive contest.
The thirds meanwhile came up short against Cambridge South, going down to a 7-0 loss. That was partly because of an injury to their keeper who had to retire early.
There was still some good play, particularly from player of the match Sophie Hawkes, but the team will go into the Christmas break knowing there is work to be done.
A restructured men’s section came out of their five-week break with captains Chris Butterworth and Mike Hornby leading the first team to a 3–1 victory against the Seconds in another friendly.
The third team went down 4-2 at home to Ely City with the visitors taking a two-goal lead early on.
Bradley Forsdick pulled one back from a short corner and then former first-team skipper, Ben Seaber, who has just hung up his goalie pads to play outfield, brought Saints level with a reverse-stick zinger.
However, Ely ramped up the pressure in the last quarter and although an indefatigable Mark Harrison charged down two short corners, a third found its way in before they added a fourth.
The same score also saw the fourths lose at Cambridge South.
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