South Notts and Newark hockey clubs send senior teams out in force
The men's 1st side from Newark Hockey Club went down 8-0 to the University of Nottingham.
South Notts 1sts also suffered defeat losing 5-0 to Belper.
Club officials said the contest was tighter than the score indicated.
The Newark 2nds lost 3-1 to Burton while the 3rds got up 3-2 over Derby after being tied 2-2 at half-time.
An early goal for Newark started the game, with the majority of play happening in the Derby half.
Good communication and switching play were things Newark did well.
The Newark side pipped the victory with the winning goal in the second-half.
The 2nds for South Notts won 5-1 against Mansfield.
Captain Mark Willey scored a hat-trick while Mike Shapland hit a brace for his side.
South Notts 3rds defeated North Notts 4-1.
James Hewitt turned out for his first game in 5 years, in support because of club injuries.
Chris Cotterill turned out for his first game of the season.
Both players showed the team what it had been missing.
Chris Cotterill got his brace and Captain Stuart Croston also hit two goals.
Croston has played 11 matches this season and so far has scored 28 goals taking his team to the top of its division.
The South Notts 4ths lost narrowly as they went down 2-1 against Belper.
Paul Hollingworth scored the goal for South Notts.
The Newark Ladies 1sts continued an impressive start to the second-half of the season with a hard-fought win over West Bridgford 2nds.
A previous draw against the side made Newark determined to get the honours and they won 3-2 after being drawn 2-2 at half-time.
Shanade Bradley was instrumental in the victory as she scored two goals with Amy Crouch being responsible for the other.
A nervy start from Newark saw them gradually build their confidence and the side started to push higher in attack.
The lead changed hands several times but it was Newark who ended up winning the day.
Players of the match were Anna Hall and Megan Cocker for the home side.
The side will next travel to league leaders Boots (bully-off 10:30am).
The Newark Ladies 3rds suffered a 4-2 defeat to Ashfield Aztecs.
Newark were able to close the gap after being down at half-time 2-0 thanks to goals from Sarah Plumb and Laura Harriss.
Lizzie Hendrie won the player of the match award.
West Bridgford rattled in a fast goal against South Notts Ladies 1sts before Becky Humphris struck back.
A good showing from under-18 players
Ruby Ryan, Millie Mapp, Kate Parker, Harriet Clink and
Evie Bates kept South Notts at the forefront.
By half-time Evie Bates had scored two to make it 3-1.
West Bridgford were undaunted and kept up real pressure.
By the end of the game, Evie Bates scored yet another hat-trick and Becky Humphris another goal to make it 5-2.
The team stays top of its league division with a goal difference in its favour of 83.
