Another good week for Stevenage Hockey Club was led by the ladies' third team who charged clear at the top of the table.

They had gone into the game at home to St Albans tied on identical records with Welwyn Garden City at the top of East League Division Four South West.

But with WGC drawing, the 9-0 win maintained their unbeaten record and sent them two points clear after 12 games each, as well as giving their goal difference a massive boost.

Elmarie Gunther led the way with four while Julie Rhodes hit three. Bec McGrelis and Kelly Switters-Price got the others.

The fourths and fifths both played Welwyn, the former drawing 0-0 while the latter won 3-0 in a game where everything they touched turned to gold.

Sarah Hoar, Melanie Retberg and Hilary Davies got the goals.

The firsts lost 2-1 though away to Chelmsford despite taking a 1-0 first-half lead through Nikki Greaves.

The seconds also lost by the odd goal, going down 3-2 at Bishop’s Stortford Archdeaconesses.

The hosts took the lead with a penalty flick and then scored early in the second half before Chloe Jones deflected in a shot from a short corner.

Stortford re-established their two-goal lead but another short corner narrowed the gap back to one, Hannah Gardner getting the final touch.

Over in the men's section, the firsts had an even higher-scoring game, beating Bedford 5-4 in Division Two South West.

The sides had been hard to separate until two goals late on broke a 3-3 tie.

Goals from Niall Trimble (three) and Aiden Parker (two) leaves them second in the table, one behind leaders Harpenden.

 

Like the ladies, there were two games against Welwyn Garden City and both ended in draws.

The thirds drew 4-4 at home. John Mould and Harry Burrett put them 2-1 up before WGC scored twice.

This spurred Stevenage into action and a neat one two between Ian Jackson gave Mould his second and then Roger Barlow made it 4-3 before a late equaliser.

The fourths meanwhile drew 2-2 after twice taking the lead through Chris Day and James Smith.

The seconds, however, lost 3-1 to Bedford with their only goal coming from Tom Woolley.