HOCKEY: Four-some Clark seals thrilling win

The hosts threatened early on with three short corners, before winning a penalty stroke that Alan Clark converted.

The second arrived through Robert Maidment, before Will Madden made it 3-0, although Stevenage pulled one back when debutant George Ball was beaten.

Clark scored again to restore the three goal advantage, but Stevenage hit back in the second period, reducing the deficit once more.

It was soon 5-2 thanks to Clark’s hat-trick, while although man of the match Ball made some heroic saves, Stevenage grabbed a further two goals.

However, Clark then notched his fourth and Sam James was on target again to complete victory.

The firsts were beaten 2-1 at home by Shefford & Sandy in Division Three South West, while Luton’s IIs were hammered 8-1 by Broxbourne IIs in Division Four South West.

Luton Ladies suffered their first Five Counties League Premier Division defeat of the season going down 5-0 away at Bishop’s Stortford IIs.

The IIs turned in their best performance of the campaign at home to Bedford IVs in Division Three, as despite the 4-0 defeat, there were plenty of positives to take away.

Kate Street’s solitary strike saw Chiltern Ladies emerge 1-0 winners from their Five Counties League Division One clash at Aylesbury IIs.

The hosts dominated play early on, but Ali Main and Emma Bright controlled the Chiltern D before their side got a foothold in the game.

After the break and a stern team talk from on-the-day skipper Emma Cook, Chiltern kept possession far better with Street and Jackie Dadd making some great runs.

The only goal of the game came midway through when Cook’s fierce cross was met by Street at the back post.

Chiltern managed to hold off a frustrated Aylesbury for the rest of the second half, with keeper Hayley Murphy making some incredible saves, while Main was named player of the match.

In Division Three, Chiltern IIs lost 2-0 at home to Hertford IIIs in an end-to-end contest.

Chiltern missed two fine chances, while Hertford created a number of opportunities too, with keeper Hayley Murphy in fantastic form, flying about to make some brilliant saves and win player of the match.

However, in the last 15 minutes, Hertford broke the deadlock and then added a second late on from a short corner.

Chiltern IIIs were beaten 6-0 by Saffron Walden VIs in their Division Four meeting.

The hosts had started well as Carol Sitauze made some strong attacking runs, while excellent defending from Jocelyn Merriman and Mary Prickett kept their opponents at bay.

Chiltern were awarded a penalty flick after Gill Sentinella was bundled over, but star player Loraine Cherrill sent her effort wide.

Sentinella almost created an opener, while fine saves by keeper Tracy Farr and a great stop by Mary Prickett kept the scores goalless at the break.

However, in the second period, Saffron scored twice early on and then added four more to complete victory.