In a fractious first half the game was dominated by multiple green cards for both sides with Venetia Bailey and Adele Sammons in the thick of the action for Loughts. Havering took an early lead from a penalty stroke which Loughts countered on 10 minutes through player of the match Em Davies’ clinical penalty corner. In an extended first half both sides scored late on with Lucy Price grabbing her first of the season before a fine individual goal from Havering levelled the score at the break.

A half time reset and tactical switch by Head Coach Miranda Baldwin saw Loughts take control early in the second half. Tash Patient restored Loughts lead 5 minutes into the half forcing the ball home from close range. Minutes later Stevie Southall’s penalty corner strike was deflected high into the net by a Havering defender to give Loughts a two goal cushion which they maintained to the end.

3 wins from 3 games puts Loughts 2 points clear at top with 3 home games to come starting with St Albans W2s next Saturday.

The W2s were at home to Bedford W2s. Siobhan Daley and Cressida Jamieson scored for Loughts but Bedford came away 3-2 winners. The W3s were away at Upminster 3s and despite playing well lost 1-2 with Alannah Foskett scoring the only goal for Loughts. The W4s lost to Old Southendians 2s with Callulla Dunne and Korobi Sen the scorers. The W5s had an exceptional 4-0 win over Havering 4s. Jane Blake kept a clean sheet whilst Erica Howlett, Anabel Watson, Selin Halil and Lara Williams found the Havering net.

Men’s teams

Old Loughts top five men’s teams continued their good start to the season with four wins and a draw.

Captain Conor Caplan's return to the M1s team after illness last week proved decisive as he prodded home 2 crucial goals in a fiercely contested match against Brighton & Hove M1s. Loughts started the game with maximum points for the season after a solid start to their season in Division 1 South of the England Hockey National League.

Brighton arrived at Luxborough Lane looking to secure their first win. They set up in a predominantly defensive formation looking to counter with long balls out of defence to their main threat up front, Welsh international Joe Naughalty. He repeatedly received the ball wide on each flank and ran with ferocious pace at the heart of the Loughts defence. Loughts however defended courageously and Rob Bloss in particular showed fine concentration and defensive qualities.

With Brighton putting ten men behind the ball and resolutely defending very well, Loughts struggled to put their passing game together and needed more tempo and better quality on the ball to break down the Brighton resistance. Tom Watson finally managed to find some space wide and high on the left of the Brighton defence. He beat the flailing defender and Caplan was on the end of his cross to slot home a fine opener in the 23rd minute.

Loughts deserved their lead after a much-improved performance in the second quarter. It was doubled when Loughts were awarded a penalty corner in the 35th minute. The ball was played to Harvey Edwards whose powerful flick to the corner of the goal smashed into the backboard.

It was inevitable that Brighton would come out fighting in the second half and they did. After unnecessary mistakes in midfield Brighton scored and Loughts needed to rediscover their composure and dynamism. To the great credit of the team they did just that. A clever weaving run from Euan Gilmour found Caplan who was again on hand to slot home the goal.

It was not the free flowing hockey which the crowd expected to see but the team played well in the face of the Brighton game plan and retained their 100% start to the season. Next week they are away at Canterbury.

The M2s remain unbeaten and third in the table after a 3-1 win away at Blueharts 1s in the East Premier Division with goals coming from Guy Morley-Jacob, Nathan Rose and Archie Crowley. The M3s are also 3rd after beating Broxbourne M1s 5-1 in Division 1 South. The M4s dropped their first points of the season after a 2-2 draw with Upminster 2s but are also third. William Holden and Sammy Redley scored for Loughts. The M5s Willows were also in action against Upminster, away against their M4s, and won 6-1 with two goals each from Harry Moffat and Simon Moffat and 1 each from Phil Beauman and Charlie Elliott. The lower three teams did not fare as well. M6s Willows Woodsmen played away against Saffron Walden 4s and lost 1-3. The M7s Willows Rangers drew 1-1 with Old Southendians 5s with Kiran de Souza on the scoresheet. The M8s Willows Axemen were matched against Tower Hamlets 2s and narrowly lost 2-3.

Youth teams
After cheering on the M1s the youngsters were in action on Sunday. In the early match the u16 girls had a close contest against Amersham & Chalfont and came away as 5-4 winners in the England Hockey Tier 1 Cup. In the league the u14 boys won a one sided match 14-1 in the local derby with Crostyx. The u18 boys were away at Southgate in another local derby and in a dominant display won 4-0 in the England Hockey Tier 1 Cup with goals from William Hall, Guy Morley-Jacob, Luca Gormley and Toby Gayler.