The first frozen pitches of the season left some of the teams at both Blueharts and Stevenage hockey clubs inactive - but plenty others did get their matches played.
The ladies' third team at Blueharts held on to top spot in East League Division Three South West but only just, after a 0-0 draw with rivals Bedford.
They had started well and were denied early by a string of excellent saves from the Bedford keeper.
Player-of-the-match Bex Turner was to the fore for the Hitchin side throughout but they did have to withstand some lively Bedford breaks at times.
But, as satisfying as the point is, their lead at the top over Shefford & Sandy is now thanks to goal difference only.
Despite the chill, the fourths actually managed two games in the space of 48 hours.
They began with a 2-0 win over Chiltern, Alice Winton and Becky Brierton their scorers, and then, with the pitch at Hitchin Boys School defrosted, they picked up a well-deserved point in a 0-0 draw with table toppers Cheshunt.
The sixth also played and won, beating Welwyn Garden City 2-1.
They came from behind to do it as well, Lindsey Brierton levelling before Danielle Flood hit the winner two minutes from time.
Only one game survived in the men's section, the fourths winning 3-2 against Southgate Adelaide.
Olly Wright and Daniel Harvey scored for the second week running with Hayden Haywood grabbing the first of the afternoon.
They are now fourth in Division Three, two places and six points above their own third team.
Stevenage had plenty of games called off too due to the less than favourable conditions, including the ladies' first team.
Their male counterparts, however, did play and boy did they take full advantage, winning 9-0 at home to Bishop's Stortford in Division Two South West.
They had almost a full squad to choose from and were on the front foot from the word go.
Mike Oliver set them on their way before Niall Trimble got into his groove with a second.
Dan Farnan joined the party for three and with second goals for both Trimble and Oliver, Stevenage turned round 5-0 ahead.
They started the second half slowly but once that had been shaken out of them, they continued their assault.
Farnan grabbed his second and Aiden Parker almost inevitably scored before Farnan and Trimble completed their hat-tricks.
That puts Stevenage fourth in the standings.
The seconds drew 3-3 at home to Hertford but the thirds lost 6-2 at the county town.
A 10-minute spell in the first half did the damage for Hertford but Stevenage did improve after the break with Tom Woolley, on his return to hockey, scoring twice.
And only two late goals gave the score a flattering look for Hertford.
There were two games for the ladies, both against Letchworth.
The seconds drew 0-0 at the Nobel School against the garden city's second team and they had chances to break the deadlock in the first half with a succession of short corners.
There was opportunities in the second half too but Letchworth also had their chances, with the home defence and keeper keeping them out.
The two fourth teams met in Letchworth and it was Stevenage who took the spoils with a 3-1 win.
They dominated the first period and took the lead through Nicki Reynolds before adding a second courtesy of Rebecca Hindle a few minutes later.
Letchworth pulled one back in the second half after a scramble but Kelly Bridge's first of the season ensured the three points would go to the visitors.
Tania Makumire was awarded player of the match for a tenacious effort in midfield.
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