NE14 HOCKEY EAST MEN S PREMIER DIVISION B West Herts 0 Wisbech 1st XI 6 SAM Markille scored four as Wisbech powered back to the summit of the division. They are locked on 41 points with Peterborough but have a far superior goal difference, which means the

NE14 HOCKEY EAST MEN'S PREMIER DIVISION B

West Herts 0

Wisbech 1st XI 6

SAM Markille scored four as Wisbech powered back to the summit of the division.

They are locked on 41 points with Peterborough but have a far superior goal difference, which means the destiny of the title is back in Wisbech's hands with four games remaining.

The hosts started well and had the better of the early chances.

Jon Shippey made a vital clearance as the ball pin-balled back and forth across the Wisbech circle.

West Herts are a young and quick team and it took time for Wisbech to come to terms with their movement.

Shippey was sent off for a foul on the 25-yard line and Wisbech had to reorganise. West Herts enjoyed the bulk of possession but never really looked like scoring.

Wisbech took the lead when a short corner was worked to Joe Melton, who finished well.

Wisbech had chances to increase the lead before the break but the West Herts goalkeeper was in inspired form.

The second half saw Wisbech dominant for long periods but the keeper and the bouncy pitch were keeping them at bay.

Markille was inches from increasing the lead but the ball bobbled lamely over his stick, but he scored an easy chance minutes later after good work from Matt Wate and Luke Smith.

Soon after Smith and Bradley Apted combined to provide Markille with another chance, which he coolly converted.

Wisbech won a penalty stroke when the keeper fouled Apted. Markille stepped up to complete his hat-trick, firing the ball high into the net.

West Herts lost a player when he was shown a yellow card for insulting Wisbech players and the visitors took advantage.

Dan Martell made an excellent run and put in a good ball which Smith took round the keeper and smashed home.

With just seconds to go Wisbech's forwards combined again and Markille was able to walk the ball over the line to make it 6-0.

Wisbech host strugglers St. Neots tomorrow from 2.30pm.

City of Peterborough 2nd XI 2 Long Sutton 1st XI 3

LONG Sutton turned on the style and allowed neighbours Wisbech to move back to the top.

Following the disappointment of the previous week against St Neots, the desire of the Sutton side was plain to see.

The visitors settled well, defending with a high line and offering their opponents little time on the ball, with Ash Taylor and Jeremy Watt hustling well in the midfield.

Long Sutton took the lead when Ben Smith reacted well on his reverse stick to smash home inside the near post.

Creative running from striker Danny Sisson and his counterpart Gary Hales on his competitive return to City of Peterborough continued to cause the home defence problems throughout and opened up a couple of half-chances that were well defended.

The second half began much as the first, Sutton stifling Peterborough's forwards. The defensive unit of Belding, Harrison and Baguley was consistently well organised and solid.

Nick Ellis, driving down the right flank, found his lifted shot illegally blocked on the line, and the resulting penalty stroke coolly converted by Hales.

Peterborough responded with a well worked goal of their own, but Taylor ghosted into the D on the counter-attack to smash home an Ellis cross.

A drag-flicked Peterborough penalty corner was well saved at full stretch by Jake Loweth in the Sutton goal, and Sutton continued to clear their lines well through the aerial talents of Will Dean.

City of Peterborough bundled in a second close to the end, but it was too little, too late as Sutton held on for an impressive victory.

R.J. Wilson (Electrical) Man of the Match: Ash Taylor.

Sutton host Norwich City at the Peele Leisure Centre on Saturday from 1pm.

NE14 MEN'S DIVISION 3NW

Wisbech 2nd XI 1

Rutland 1st XI 4

WISBECH were hoping for a repeat win over the side one place above them in the table.

But despite battling hard and competing in all areas, this was not to be.

It took a special goal from Gary Freear to find the Rutland net in the first half, but the opposition scored two in return. Another two goals from Rutland in the second half sealed the game.

Wisbech will need to take their chances in front of goal and ensure that they clear the ball out of defence in future games to prevent these undeserved losses.

Wisbech play at Cambs Nomads 3rd XI tomorrow from 2pm.

NE14 HOCKEY EAST MEN'S LEAGUE DIVISION SIX

NORTH WEST

March Town 4th XI 0

Wisbech Town 4th XI 3

WISBECH overcame the outstanding March goalkeeper Scott Bamford to score three first-half goals and take derby honours. The visitors were 1-0 up after five minutes and as March failed to take their chances a breakaway goal made it 2-0.

Bamford was outstanding but powerless to stop Wisbech from scoring their third just before half-time.

Both sides had chances in the second half but the defences came out on top and Bamford saved his side from further punishment several times

Wisbech had a goal disallowed during the half.

March travel to Ely City 3rd XI tomorrow for a 3pm start.

EAST WOMAN'S LEAGUE

PREMIER DIVISION

Wisbech Town 1st XI 2

Bury St Edmunds 1st XI 2

THIS match was a story of two penalties.

Bury St Edmunds equalised for the second time after a dubious decision while Wisbech missed a late chance from the spot.

Town started the first half well with some good attacking play.

One of several short corners rebounded off the keeper for Mel Ludlam to slot in on the far post.

Bury had a break on the left and the ball hit a Wisbech player's foot off the edge of the pitch, which was then given as a flick that they scored to equalise.

Wisbech put together some fantastic play through the midfield and defence to create many chances on goal and just before half-time Sue Slator put away the second penalty flick of the game, to make the score 2-1.

At the start of the second half a Wisbech defender stopped the ball on the line with her stick, the Bury attacker preceded to try to smash the ball through the defender's stick, and somehow got a penalty flick awarded to them that they then put away.

Wisbech missed numerous chances as Wisbech's Player of the Match Steph Hanlon performed brilliantly in defence.

Wisbech are away to Canterbury tomorrow at 1.15pm.

Wisbech squad: Mel Ludlam (captain), Sue Slator (vice captain), Ali Mason, Jodi Peggs, Nat Ward, Laura Overland, Steph Hanlon, Erika Burrell, Claire Apted, Jane Peggs, Heidi Smithee.