Short corners proved to be Stevenage’s downfall as they were beaten 4-1 at East Men's Division Two South West leaders Blueharts II.

The Hitchin side have only been beaten once this season and had scored 67 goals and only conceded 17 going into Thursday night’s fixture, so it was always going to be tough task for their opponents.

They held their own in the first half and levelled through Niall Trimble after Blueharts had taken the lead.

But short corners proved to be the visitors’ undoing after the break as Blueharts' well-drilled set pieces enabled them to take the lead again and extend it.

Stevenage continued to battle but it was Blueharts who had the better of the second period as they pushed their opponents back into their own half.

There was a great win for the men's second team on Saturday as they hit eight goals without reply against Blueharts V in East Men’s Division Four South West.

This was their eighth game unbeaten with only one draw in that time and they have also been prolific goalscorers.

The goals were shared around with captain Richard Brendish scoring twice, Nick Umney also adding two, and Louis Hrenbeniak, Harry O'Donnell, Johnny Swarbrick and Harry Wheeler netting one apiece.

They have struck 42 goals in that run with and this was their third 8-0 win this season, along with a 9-4 victory.

The ladies first team had a more modest but still important win with their 1-0 victory over Bishops Stortford.

Lucy Harvey found the net to secure the points in the East Women’s Division Two South West clash.

They are fourth in the table on goal difference ahead of Blueharts II.

The women's second and third teams both play in Division Three South West and after this week's games have an identical record, with the seconds ahead on goal difference.

The teams are scheduled to meet again on the last day of the season so the campaign is building to a potentially exciting conclusion.

The second team headed to Bedford to play their higher-placed fourths and had some of the regular players missing but were pleased to come away with a 0-0 draw.

Bedford are a strong, organised side and keeper April Wrangles won player of the match for keeping them out, not the first time this season she has claimed that accolade.

The third team were at home to Royston Firsts and won 2-1 thanks to goals from Melanie Retberg and Hilary Siddall.

The fifths, like the first team, also played Bishops Stortford.

They were not so lucky as they went down 5-1 with Katie Jeffries getting the goal, while the men's third team's miserable season continued as they came up against St Albans VI who matched their team number with a 6-0 victory.

There was disappointment for Blueharts Ladies IIIs who were beaten 3-1 at home by Shefford and Sandy in their top-of-the-table East Division 3 South West showdown on Saturday.

Victory would have kept the Hitchin side top but the visitors took an early lead – with Blues keeper Cindy Dixon performing superbly to keep her side in touch.

Shefford scored a second before half-time only for Blueharts skipper Rachel Campbell to reduce the arrears.

The thirds forced a number of short corners in their search for the equaliser but Shefford grabbed the all-important fourth goal of the game to seal the win.

The Ladies IIs were involved in a tight game at Bedford who went a goal up inside the first ten minutes.

Jules Rees levelled for Blueharts just before half-time and then Sophie Barker’s first goal for the 2s gave them a 2-1 lead.

Ellie Johnson thought she had made it 3-1 but the goal was ruled out for obstruction – that decision proved to be pivotal as Bedford broke away to equalise on the final whistle to make it 2-2.

The Ladies 1s won 2-1 at Broxbourne in the East Premier Division thanks to a debut goal from Lucy Nissen and one from Harriet Marsh – plus some dogged defence led by Nat Gilder.

The Ladies 5s won 2-0 at Broxbourne with Milly Winton and Danielle Flood the scorers and player-of-the-match Talin Keoshgerian outstanding.

Hannah Ross was on target twice and Jenny Burr once as the Ladies VIs ran out comfortable 3-0 winners over Bedford, Ella Lock taking the player-of-the-match plaudits.

Ollie Wright continued his prolific form this season by scoring on his debut for the Men’s IIIs in their emphatic 5-0 against Harpenden.

Harry Storey was also on the scoresheet with his dad Sean scoring a hat-trick as the IIs stretched their unbeaten run to six games.