A Ben Apperley hat-trick led the way as Blueharts' men recorded a thrilling victory over University of East Anglia in the East Hockey League.
His treble included two penalty strokes as the first team won 8-4 at Lucas Lane, although the Premier Division clash had hung in the balance with Blueharts just 4-3 ahead during the second period.
The men's first team at Blueharts Hockey Club. Picture: BHC (Image: Blueharts Hockey Club)
Apperley had opened the scoring early on with man-of-the-match Harvey Walton Adams doubling the lead shortly after.
A series of mistakes allowed UEA back to level but that was the cue for the home side to step it up again, a Graham Burr short corner and Apperley's second putting Blueharts 4-2.
The Norfolk visitors did get that third but once again Blueharts charged forward and capitalised with goals from Burr, Ethan Gaunt, a first of the season for youngster Jack Floor and another Apperley penalty stroke.
The ladies' first team were also in the goals as they beat Cambridge City 4-2.
City went 1-0 up only for Jay Livermore to level for Blueharts towards the end of the first half.
A penalty corner saw Cambridge re-take the lead but once more Blueharts levelled things, this time through Holly Christie.
A well-rehearsed penalty corner routine resulted in skipper Anna Page putting Blueharts ahead for the first time and a second in similar circumstances sealed the three points.
The seconds also had that winning feeling as goals from Jules Rees and Kate Chapman earned them a 2-1 win over Bishop's Stortford.
Jo Floor emulated son Jack by scoring as the thirds beat Royston 5-2, keeping them top of Division Three South West.
Kiki Arellano, Josie Layton, Tamzin Wright and Meme Brown were also on target.
The fourths lost 4-1 to Stortford, Kat McLarty their lone scorer, but Milly Winton got the winner in a 1-0 success for the fifths, also against the east Herts team.
Back in the men's section, the seconds hit Stortford for nine but the fourths were beaten 2-0 at Broxbourne.
Two goals from Pete Mitchell and Oscar Whiteley and one from Ashley Hammond gave the fifths a 5-3 win over Broxbourne.
The ladies' first team at Stevenage Hockey Club. Picture: SHC (Image: Richard Ellis)
Stevenage's women had a mixed day with two wins and a draw from their five fixtures.
The firsts beat Welwyn Garden City 3-1 in Division Two South West while the thirds had a 1-0 win over St Albans in Division Three, the same division where the seconds drew 0-0 at home to Hertford.
There was just the one win in the men's section, the first team winning 2-1 against Bedford in Division Two South West.
The thirds lost 3-1 at West Herts but they took a lot of positives from the performances of their new players.
They were short of regulars but Joshua Lake got his league debut and there was much gratitude for John Palmer, Kal Singh and Saad Huda in stepping up.
The first half was fairly even but Stevenage midfielders David Scales, Jonny Swarbrick and Chris Day took control and it was Huda who opened the scoring with his first league goal.
After the break though it was a different story as West Herts strengthened their side from the bench.
Their opener came from a short corner, despite acting skipper Ian Jackson made a great save initially on the line.
An error gifted West Herts the second and a penalty corner wrapped things up.
But Stevenage kept battling away with the returning Tony Aldred putting in a good shift as did Martyn Binge.
Up front Simon Russell talked a lot and then it was the turn of Kevin Robbins to turn up for a seven-minute cameo.
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