The return of East Hockey League again saw both Blueharts and Stevenage shake off the excesses of Christmas and pull out some big performances and results.
There was no doubting the biggest game of the day at Stevenage as their ladies' second team took on their third-team club-mates in Division Three South West.
A 3-1 win for the seconds followed and moves them to seventh in the table, three points clear of the threes.
The twos took an early first-half lead when Chloe Jones got on the end of a Steph Oliver pass
Great defending and goal keeping from the threes kept the twos at bay until half-time but the second period brought renewed vigour.
Jones got her second but the thirds made sure of a nervy finish thanks to a Melanie Retberg goal.
The firsts had a tough day, losing 4-0 away to Berkhamsted & Hemel Hempstead in Division Two while the fourths were also beaten by the west Herts side, losing 3-1 in Division Five.
There were some positives including a team debut for Charlotte Hessey, who was strong in defence, and a well-worked first-half goal for Nicki Reynolds, one that give them a 1-0 lead.
Player of the match was Wunmi Omolade.
There was just the one game in the men's section but it brought the result of the day, an 8-0 win for the seconds away to West Herts.
Half the goals came from Harry Wheeler with two for Nick Umney and one each for Richard Brendish and Ryall Swartz.
Two goals from Ben Apperley helped the men's first-team at Blueharts pick up a 3-1 win over Bishop's Stortford.
Apperley’s double included a penalty flick and moved them into the top four of the East Premier Division, Harvey Walton Adams completing the victory.
It was a frustrating afternoon for the seconds who drew 1-1 with Bedford at Lucas Lane, the visitors equalising with the last hit.
The threes were beaten 1-0 at home to Division Three leaders Broxbourne but the fourths won 3-1 at home to Cheshunt thanks to goals from Scott Cromack, Paul Buckland and Ollie Wright.
The fifths came back from 2-0 down after 10 minutes to beat Royston 5-4.
Pete Mitchell’s hat-trick led the way with Ben and Ashley Hammond scoring the others.
The sixths had the best win of the day, beating Hertford 6-1 with Gary Fung (two), John Russell, Dave Moore, Jake Sudweeks and Freddy Baxter on target.
In the ladies' section, the firsts lost 2-0 at Harleston Magpies, but they had the pleasure of seeing a number of players drafted in from the seconds play with real promise.
There was better news for the twos who beat Welwyn Garden City 1-0 through a Nicarra Berry goal and Kiki Arellano continued her impressive recent form with two goals for the thirds in a 4-0 win over Welwyn's second team.
Emily Bryan and Tamzin Wright got the others.
Niamh Krishman was another player who scored a double as the fifths won 5-2 against St Albans.
Ellie Cox, Emily Bill and Milly Winton also scored.
The sixths though were beaten 2-0 at Bishop's Stortford despite a great goalkeeping display from stand-in Olivia Sumner.
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