Long Sutton Hockey Club round-up

Long Sutton secured a hard-earned point in their 2-2 home draw with Cambridge in Division 1N of the East League on Saturday.

With McKenzie East, Sam Gray and Tom Baguley unavailable, the home side were always going to face a stern test against fourth placed Cambridge, but they were pleased to include Will Taylor for his second game of the season.

The game started at a fast and furious pace with no quarter given.

After a spell of Cambridge pressure and some great saves by keeper James Cliff, Sutton broke the deadlock when Dan Batten burst into the circle and deftly slotted the ball past the keeper.

Further pressure by the home forwards enabled Josh Baker to squeeze the ball with a reverse stick shot into the back of the net.

The tempo further increased with players receiving warnings from the umpires and, as the second half progressed, Cambridge's superior skill began to tell.

An unfortunate mistake in the Sutton midfield led to a well taken goal.

With time passing by, players began disputing decisions and the umpires were forced to issue cards to both teams, including a yellow to Josh Baker which means he will have to miss the next match.

The game then settled down and with ten minutes left Cambridge equalised with a deflected short corner.

The home team then kept their composure to see out time and be well satisfied with a point.

The men's second team were beaten 1-0 at Cambridge South 4ths while the ladies' sides played out home draws in matches against Wisbech.

Florence Perowne was among the scorers for the first team in their 2-2 draw with Wisbech 2nds while there was a goalless stalemate between the club's second and fourth teams.