WISBECH men s first team were involved in another pulsating East Premier B game, but were edged out 3-2 by visitors Bishop s Stortford. Knowing that a win would put them top of the table, Bishop s Stortford went on the attack from the start but they came

WISBECH men's first team were involved in another pulsating East

Premier B game, but were edged out 3-2 by visitors Bishop's Stortford.

Knowing that a win would put them top of the table, Bishop's Stortford went on the attack from the start but they came up against a stubborn home defence and fine tackles from Nick Osborn.

The visitors did however break through to open the scoring midway through the first half but Wisbech hit back from the restart and levelled through Brad Apted just 30 seconds later.

Again the visitors pushed forward and they scored twice before the break to lead 3-1.

The second half was all Wisbech as they sought to get back into the game. Strong claims for a penalty stroke were ignored before Apted's shot trickled into the net to reduce the deficit.

The home side continued to press but the visiting 'keeper denied Wisbech an equaliser.

Wisbech II go into the Christmas break top of the table thanks to a well-worked 6-2 home win over Ely City II.

City got off to a dream start and took an early 2-0 lead but the home side bounced back with a good display of hockey and went into the break 4-2 up thanks to a brace from Joe Prestidge and goals from Jordan Trundle and Jon Boyall.

With excellent performances from defenders Gavin Plume and Mark Littlechild, Lee Peck in midfield and Gary Freear up front, Wisbech made sure of the points in the second half.

Edward Atkins made it 5-2 before Matthew Pooley slotted the ball home to finish Ely off.

There was a Christmas cracker of a game in the Cambs Ladies Premier Division where second placed Wisbech Ladies II lost out 6-4 at home to league leaders Bourne Ladies II.

The match turned out to be an exciting affair but it looked grim for Wisbech when the visitors opened up a 3-0 lead in the first half.

Wisbech improved but Bourne scored another goal against the run of play to make the score 4-0 at half time.

Home goals from Gilly Dunn and player of the match Vicky Herbert were cancelled out by two from the visitors but as the game wore on Wisbech threatened an unlikely come-back.

Herbert's superbly struck shot from a penalty corner reduced the arrears before Georgina Dunn scored following great work from Shelley Jones.

Despite continued pressure, Wisbech were unable to force more goals and the visitors held on to their lead.

- THE only match featuring the teams from March Hockey Club was in East Men's League Division Three North West when March II suffered a 6-0 defeat at Cambridge City IV.

Third placed City dominated the game from the start and only a series of fine saves from Matthew Lynn kept March in the game.

However, the constant pressure resulted in two first half goals for the home side.

March played well in the early stages of the second half and player of the match Andy Bull went close to reducing the arrears.

But City hit back and extended their lead to record a comfortable victory, which leaves March in ninth place at the halfway stage of the season.