Jamie Brooks netted twice as Bishop’s Stortford suffered a 4-2 home defeat against Saffron Walden in the East Men’s Hockey League

Jamie Brooks netted twice as Bishop’s Stortford suffered a 4-2 home defeat against Saffron Walden in the East Men’s Hockey League, Premier Division.

He put them ahead early on with a well-worked goal, but the visitors stormed back to go three goals in front.

Stortford battled on and reduced the arrears when Brooks completed his brace late on, but there was not enough time for it to spark a comeback.

There was much better news for the second team as they recorded a 7-2 away success over Stevenage in Division 2SW.

Freddy Petar and Harry McKerrell both notched twice and were joined on the score sheet by Oli Leonard, Tom Nash and Dave Roberts.

The player-of-the-match award was shared by Manny Richards and Si Martyn.

In the same division, the third team succumbed 6-1 at home to Broxbourne II with Fred Cooke getting their goal via a penalty stroke.

James Brocks scored twice and James Nash and Will Fox also netted as the fifth team won 4-1 at home to their Hertford counterparts in 5SW.

The sixth team overcame Saffron Walden VI 5-1 in 6SW while the seventh (development) team lost 4-2 to Hertford VII in 7SW.

In the East Women’s League, the first team ended up on the wrong end of a 5-4 scoreline in a thrilling contest at Broxbourne.

Strikes from Katherine Langridge and Minky Carr put the visitors 2-1 ahead at the break and Fiona Mulder restored the advantage after the hosts had drawn level.

Broxbourne restored parity once more before going ahead for the first time in a frantic, end-to-end affair.

Liv Smerdon equalised for Stortford with a little over five minutes remaining and either side could have won it, but it was Broxbourne who grabbed the game’s decisive ninth goal from a short corner.

The second team produced a resilient display when they lost 2-0 at home to their Bedford counterparts in Division 1S.

After a goalless first period, Bedford’s pressure began to tell and they scored on the break before converting a penalty corner.

But the hosts, who had a number of new players stepping in, could be proud of their efforts, with the likes of Emma Hynds, Grace Grindrod and Kess Levy defending well.

The third team battled all the way to the end as they suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Stevenage in 2SW.

Hollie Mathison finished off a sweeping attack with a stunning reverse-stick strike while Paula Frenzel produced a spectacular goal-line save.

Lois Wright’s early goal proved in vain as the fourth team conceded at the death in a 2-1 defeat at Luton Town in 3SW.

In the same division, the fifth team were beaten 5-0 at home by table-topping Bedford IV.

The sixth team succumbed 6-0 at Southend II in their 3SE encounter.

The seventh team included seven players who usually represent the eighths in their 6-1 defeat at Hertford III in 5SW.

Tilly-May Herbert claimed a consolation goal and shot-stopper Lis Foote made a string of good saves.

Player-of-the-match Vivienne Saunders equalised with three minutes left to earn the eighth team a 3-3 home draw with Royston II in 6SW.

Mia Beverley claimed a brace while goalkeeper Izzy Jones made a crucial save in the first half.

Kate Cullinan and Jane Deans were on target for the 10th (development) team in their 7-2 loss at Bedford VII in 7SW.