Storm Ciara may have scuppered any chance of sport on Sunday, leading to postponement of the Men’s 1st team and the Ladies’ Masters Over 35s matches, but Saturday saw plenty of action and some great results across the Club, with plenty of goals being scored by the Bedford teams – 37 to be precise.

The Ladies’ 1st’s travelled to Ipswich, hopeful of a win. Not only did they take the victory but did so by force, with a 6-0 score-line, including a hat-trick from Elli Priston, all from penalty corners. Further penalty corner goals came from Sam Turner and Emma Pinny, and an open-play goal by Kate Costin. They get a home fixture, next weekend, taking on Bromley & Beckenham, who currently sit just 1 point below Bedford in the table.

The Men’s 2nd’s travelled away to Bishops Stortford and also returned home victors, by 4 goals to 1. For the Ladies’ 2nd’s meanwhile, whilst their positive start suggested a win was on the cards, their Upminster opposition not only pulled level, but managed to grab a late goal to take the win 3-2.

Both the Men’s and Ladies’ 3rd’s had home fixtures at Chester Road; the Men’s 3rd’s disappointed not to have gained a victory over Luton Town, but their 3-all draw still sees Bedford holding 2nd place in the table. The very young Ladies’ 3rd’s squad put in an amazing performance, being rewarded with a 4-0 bonanza against Royston.
The Men’s 4th XI travelled away to Hertford, and the Ladies to Potters Bar. Neither unfortunately managed to return victorious; the men going 5-1 down and the ladies being unlucky to miss out, with a 3-2 loss.

The Ladies’ 5th’s were also away in Hertford. After Bedford dominated the first half, being 1-0 up at the half-time whistle, Hertford came back strongly in the second half and took the lead 3-2, before a stunning cross in from the baseline brought the equaliser for Bedford, and a 3-all draw.

The Men’s 5th XI got back to their winning ways, beating Luton Town 3rd’s 2-0, ensuring the Bedford team hold their second place in the table.

The Ladies’ 6th’s headed to St Albans, but it wasn’t to be Bedford’s day, the St Albans side taking a dominant 5-0 conquest. The Men’s 6th’s also failed to make a mark against their Letchworth opponents, going 2-0 down.

The Men’s Vets, after their runaway win last week, had to settle for a 2-all draw against Potters Bar, although considering Potters Bar’s higher standing in the table, the Vets will be satisfied with the outcome.

The Ladies’ 7th’s match was arguably the highlight of the day. Another of the club’s very young squads, the team put on an amazing display of skill, their reward being a triumphant 8-0 victory over Chiltern 3rd’s. The 7’s tally for the season so far is 38 goals for and just 19 against.

Weather permitting, 12 of the 14 senior sides will be in action next weekend, along with the Under 16 Boys taking on Bourne Deeping, the rescheduled Ladies’ Masters over 35s match at Letchworth and the Ladies’ Masters over 45s heading to Canterbury for the quarter finals of their playoffs.

Words by Jean Fitch & Tom Carr