2024/25 Season Masters O45s Round 2

Over 45s teams dominate knockout rounds despite wintry challenges

While the wintry weather put paid to any league action on Saturday, the clouds did at least part over Lucas Lane on Sunday to ensure the Ladies and Mens Over 45s both advanced in their knockout matches.

Thanks to sterling work in clearing the pitch from Frank Middleditch and his tractor, both matches were played despite less than ideal conditions.

But the Ladies side coped superbly – beating local rivals Letchworth 5-0.

Carly Madders marked her return from injury with the opening goal from a short corner inside three minutes and then doubled the Blueharts’ advantage just before half-time – again from a short corner.

Player-of-the-match Lizzie Bayley threatened to add to her side’s tally but was thwarted by the Letchworth goalkeeper.

The visitors did pose something of a threat at the start of the second period but the Blueharts defence coped well – and one counter attack from deep set up Kate Sherwood to make it 3-0.

A great move from Jo Floor, Nic Baxter and Rachel Campbell ended with Tamzin Wright adding the fourth.

And there was still time for a sublime goal from Kiki Arellano who scored the fifth from an almost impossible angle.

The win takes the team through to the next round of the England Hockey Masters tournament on February 2nd.

The Men’s side were also comfortable winners, beating Bishops Stortford 4-0 in the second round of the Tier 1 Championship.

The Blues started in style when James Keel opened the scoring – but were kept at bay for the rest of the half by the Stortford keeper and by some wasteful finishing.

However some patient possession eventually paid dividends when Matt Scott’s cut-back was turned in by Devon Woolley.

A Paul Buckland short corner stretched the lead to 3-0, while solid defending from Matt Gardener and Ben Hammond helped keep the visitors out at the other end.

Ash Hammond effectively ended the contest with the fourth after 54 minutes and the Blues played the rest of the game out with ease to advance to the third round on February 2nd.