The new hockey season opened with a bang for some of the teams at Blueharts and Stevenage.
The Blueharts ladies had an entertaining 3-3 draw away to Dereham in the East League Premier Division.
Paige Vorster gave the Hitchin side a first-half lead, continuing her free-scoring form from pre-season, but the hosts were soon level after a scramble and then in front.
A Jay Livermore interception meant it was all square at the break and the tension rose in the second period, with a flurry of green and yellow cards.
Things looked bleak when a Dereham short corner saw them go 3-2 in front but a short corner routine of their own earned Blueharts another equaliser, Emily Jakeman making it 3-3.
The men's first team were involved in a five-goal thriller against Letchworth at Lucas Lane.
Goals from Graham Burr and Ben Apperly weren’t enough for Blueharts in a match in which both sides scored penalty flicks, Letchworth winning 3-2.
Elsewhere, it was a Super Saturday for the ladies' second and third teams as both recorded excellent wins.
The twos beat Hertford 4-1 with two goals from Jules Rees and one apiece from Kate Sherwood and Chloe Luetchford.
The win was also underpinned by some excellent defensive work from Charlotte Brackenbury.
The threes defied the heat to put seven past Hertford without reply.
Izzy Rutter got a hat-trick with Rachel Campbell, Lizzie Bayley, Alice Saunders and player of the match and debutant Meme Brown getting the others.
Blueharts did get two wins over Letchworth as the seconds won 9-1 and the sevenths coming from behind to win 2-1.
The men's fourth team at Stevenage Hockey Club. Picture: STEVENAGE HC (Image: Stevenage Hockey Club)
Stevenage's women had a tough opening day with just two draws to show for their efforts in the five games.
The four men's teams had a better time of it with only the third team failing to win.
The firsts won 5-2 at home to Welwyn Garden City in Division Two South West.
It took the home side a mere 30 seconds before Aiden Parker got his campaign up and running with possibly the quickest goal in the history of the first team.
A Niall Trimble cannoned off the post and then the back of the Welwyn keeper to make it 2-0 and then the sides traded goals, Mike Oliver scoring either side of a Dave Allmand-Smith with a stunning solo goal, dribbling past four defenders before slamming it into the corner.
Trimble made sure Welwyn weren't going to come back again and Oliver then got his second with a tap in at the back door after a great give and go from Dan Farnan.
The man of the match was Luke Wilkinson.
The seconds also played WGC, drawing 2-2 with goals from John Mould and Tom Woolley.
The fourths also drew 2-2 at home to Luton Town, Kevin Robbins getting both the goals and Samuel Baisel picking up the star player award.
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