Womens 1 Vs Sudbury 1 

The penultimate match and final home game of the season for Saints and a win needed to assure Division 1 hockey again next season. Sudbury started the better, applying early pressure - but Saints looked dangerous as they broke with pace. Soon an excellent cross was turned home by Katie Bates, at the far post, to give Saints an early lead. This settled Saints nerves, but they couldn’t find a second goal and shortly before half-time they conceded possession and the visitors forward took the opportunity clinically from the edge of the circle.

Saints produced a spirited and determined second half display, being on the offensive for the majority of the time. They retook the lead with a well-worked penalty corner – Katie Bates again getting the final touch following a good strike from Eleanor Pybus and Caroline Osborne`s deflection. Saints couldn’t, however, capitalise on their continued territorial advantage and as the game entered the final few minutes Sudbury equalised as a penalty corner attempt looped agonisingly over Saints `keeper Mel Harding. There was little time for a reply, so the disappointment of just a point after a good display from Saints in a keenly contested encounter. Player of the match honours were shared by the Bingham sisters – Kelly and Captain Paula for energetic, determined performances.

Good news for Saints once the other league results were in – Division 1 hockey secured for a third consecutive season! Indeed a draw or a win in Saints final game of the season at Wisbech next Saturday will mean a very respectable 7th place finish in a most competitive and evenly contested league. After the loss of several senior players this season and having only taken 1 point from their first seven games, as the team took shape, this was a terrific turn round and effort by what is generally a young squad capable of building and improving on this placing next season!