Womens 1 Vs Harleston Magpies 2

Last home game of the season for Saints, but an unusual venue – the short cross-country trip (even shorter and certainly a home game for the coach) to Sharnbrook, to accommodate this rearranged fixture - with lots of academy matches at Longsands and the school closed over Easter.    

A quick, young , Harleston side were the first to settle - taking the lead within 5 minutes. Saints looked dangerous on the break and had already missed one good opportunity, when Tanya Sargeant appeared at the far post to force home the Saints equaliser. It looked as though the game might be level at the break, but two fierce penalty corner strikes, in the final 5 minutes of the first half, ultimately proved decisive for the visitors.

Early in the second half Harleston turned over possession, broke quickly and finished well, to seal victory. To their credit Saints then played their best hockey of the game, retaining possession better and continuing to push forward to the final whistle, unfortunately without reward.

Good performances from Hannah Sutton and Millie Payne stepping up well into the side and also Tanya Sargeant - scoring Saints goal from midfield and then an assured display deputising for the injured Mandy Rogers at the heart of the Saints defence.  Well done to Champions Harleston for their undefeated season, they were the quicker, sharper and more incisive side on the day, but had been made to work hard for their victory.

Saints final game of what has been an excellent first season in Division 1 is the long trip to the seaside to face Lowestoft on Saturday 7th November.