VIDEO: Hockey round-up

It was hardly pretty but the 1st team, depleted by school commitments, dug deep to earn a workmanlike 1-0 victory over Hailsham at the Triangle.

They just about shaded a tight first half on chances and after the break won several short corners as the game became increasingly stretched.

Sophia Davies finally broke the deadlock in a goalmouth scramble and the defence then held out for a big three points. This week Hill make the short journey to Lewes, who are just above them in the Premier table.

The 2nds beat Brighton 4ths 2-1 to go second.

Lucie Venables gave them a half-time advantage and then Natalie Watt made it 2-0.

Brighton replied with an unstoppable goal but after that could not get past a strong Hill defence.

It was the same 2-1 scoreline for the 3rds as they faced Honeybees at the Triangle.

That was the team’s first win of the season and came against experienced opposition who forced some smart saves from Jade Prideaux in the first half. But Hill went ahead when good work by Issy Childs and Kirsteen Griffiths paved the way for Lucy Matthews to score at the left post.

Just a minute into the second half the speed of Jane Burnell set up Griffiths for a goal that capped an outstanding display at centre forward.

Hill’s experienced back line of captain Wendy Caddye, Alison Gillham and Chris Maclellan were grateful for the speed supplied by under 16 India Mellor.

The Ambers were led from the front by captain Claudia Thornton who hit seven in their 9-1 demolition of Penguin Rockhoppers in the Girls Development League. Natasha Purchas and Jenny Chee were the other scorers against a side who did not have a goalkeeper.

Apart from their goal tally, Ambers had one disallowed, hit the post three times and forced 11 short corners.

Mid Sussex 4ths lost 2-8 to Brighton but had more possession than the scoreline suggests. Once again young keeper Jordan Lake was superb.

The 2nds overcame a resilient Brighton side thanks to Hidi Moro’s lone first-half strike and some important saves by Adam Cooper.

After the break there were chances for Karl Bass, Euan Muldoon, Mike Dovey and Dan Cocks.

Two goals in the last 10 minutes gave St Francis a 5-4 home win against Hailsham.

MoM Chris Batchelor grabbed a hat-trick and the other players on target were Ciaran Fitzgerald and Oli Keating.

Saints raced into a 2-0 lead but trailed 3-2 at the break. They levelled 30 seconds into the second half but then fell 3-4 behind before mounting the late recovery.

The 2nds lost 2-0 to Brighton 4ths, while the 3rds missed the chance to go top when they lost by the only goal against Lewes 6ths.

Saints were without several players but despite the enforced changes were still confident of having enough strength to win the game.

They had enough chances to have had the game wrapped up by half time and won regular short corners throughout. From those Tim Furber and Neil Henry went close, while at the far post Janek Lewandowski was never quite able to lay a stick on the ball.

The defensive unit of MoM Ed Whitehead, Robb Bridges, Henry and Gabriel Mohammed offered keeper Adam Foulger good protection but with time running out, Lewes broke away and forced the ball over the line.

The 4th team’s match away to South Saxons was abandoned at half time because of a waterlogged pitch, while a young but determined Leprechauns were undone by a goal from Horsham Hotshots inside the last two minutes.

MoM Ed Curtis defended resolutely as Horsham made the better start but the balance of play changed as the pitch started to dry. The start had been delayed to give the pitch more time to dry out.

Although the only goal came late, Luke Allum and Dan Clark still found time to combine well but time ran out for them.

On Sunday the combined St Francis and Burgess Hill mixed team beat Holbrook 2-1 with goals from Mark Butcher and Tanisha Bolton.