Martin and Acock Division Three Loddon II 6, Norwich Dragons IV 0Toni Glover hit a hat-trick for Loddon II in their 6-0 win over Norwich Dragons IV with Milly Salisbury, Ruth King and Julie Glover also on target.

Martin and Acock Division Three Loddon II 6, Norwich Dragons IV 0

Toni Glover hit a hat-trick for Loddon II in their 6-0 win over Norwich Dragons IV with Milly Salisbury, Ruth King and Julie Glover also on target.

Loddon hit top form against Dragons, who played creditable open hockey with a player short. Toni Glover continued to impress at centre forward, scoring a hat-trick and cutting the Dragons defence at will. Millie Salisbury (1) and Trisha Hagan showed their first team skills to advantage, and Megan Kirby moved up from the third team to fit comfortably into the right back slot. Ruth King's determination in the circle was rewarded with a follow-up goal and the scoring was completed by Julie Glover, who reliably hits the target from short corners. Wendy Jenness kept yet another clean sheet by dominating the defending circle, while Mandy Kirby and Jackie Hill blocked out the dangerous runs from the right. Rosie Bygrave and Rosie Butler worked tirelessly in midfield, and Sarah Woods showed her speed to good effect on the right wing.

Magpies IV 3, Loddon III 2

Loddon III so nearly came away with a point against Magpies IV, but went down 3-2 towards the end of the game. Their inexperience in misfielding shots from outside the circle twice cost them when Clemmy Ardley-Forder and Karen Absolon (2) pounced on the rebounds to give stand-in goalkeeper Toni Glover no chance.

However, Loddon continue to show grit and determination and moments of skill - Jodie Allison, who was inspirational, saw her slap shot heading past the upright until Emma Burgoyne athletically reached to deflect the ball in.

Allison's persistence was rewarded with a goal, and with TJ Allison once again wearing a purple shirt Loddon III are no longer easy to beat at the bottom of the division.

Young players Laura Saxton and Heather Archer justified their selection with battling performances, taking their lead from the example of Aimee Etheridge and Victoria Hill who kept a tight control on the right side of the pitch.