The 1st XI’s of Bedford Hockey Club faced a big weekend as both the Men and the Women faced top of the league opposition, both falling despite spirited performances.
The Men travelled to table topping Harborne in the Conference Midlands, a side who are undefeated in eleven games but were taken the distance in an enthralling contest at the University of Birmingham.
Four of Bedford’s five goals came from open play in a fearless attacking display, but not to be outdone, Harborne responded with seven goals of their own to down their Bedford opponents.
The Men’s 1st XI remain in seventh in the division while Harborne extended their lead at the top of the table to two points over Barford Tigers, who Bedford play next.
The Ladies 1st’s were missing a number of players for their key fixture at Sutton Coldfield, falling 2-0 to the league leaders who are now ahead of second placed Bedford by six points.
Elsewhere, it was a smorgasbord of results across the rest of the club, with both 2nd XI also missing out on a big weekend.
The Men’s 2nd XI also faced league leaders in Old Loughtonians, falling 5-0 while the Ladies 2nd XI – losing a lot of their usual players to the 1st’s – lost 6-3 at Southend.
There was however success for both of the 3rd XI’s; the Men taking a decisive 3-1 victory against Welwyn Garden City while the Ladies defeated Broxbourne 2-0.
The Men’s 4th XI were the third Bedford side to come up against their division’s leaders, as they lost 4-1 at Hertford but the Ladies are sitting in second place following a 2-2 draw against Bishops Stortford.
The Ladies 5th XI are storming towards a league title of their own; their latest 6-0 win against Saffron Walden opening up a seven point gap to chasing St Albans.
The Men’s 5th XI lost 6-1 at Letchworth, but the 6th XI were 6-1 victors of their own against Welwyn Garden City, while the Vets lost 5-3 against St Albans.
Both 7th XI’s were also down on their luck this week, losing against Hertford and Potters Bar respectively.
Finishing the weekend on a high though, the Ladies Masters Over 35’s – defending Champions in the England Hockey Tier 1 Championship – progressed to the quarter-finals with a 6-0 win against Cambridge City.
