Letchworth Ladies returned pointless but with pride intact after two East Premier games at tough Kent opposition. They were unlucky to come away with nothing from Saturday s trip to second-placed Canterbury 2nds. Letchworth competed from the off and it wa

Letchworth Ladies returned pointless but with pride intact after two East Premier games at tough Kent opposition.

They were unlucky to come away with nothing from Saturday's trip to second-placed Canterbury 2nds.

Letchworth competed from the off and it was no surprise when they took the lead after 30 minutes when Babs Merrifield slotted home from a Lizzie White pass.

Canterbury hit back immediately, equalising from a penalty corner just a minute before half time.

Letchworth were desperately unlucky to go behind midway through the second half when, from a missed penalty corner to Letchworth, the home team broke down the pitch for a fine solo finish.

As Letchworth pressed forward for an equaliser, Canterbury sealed the win with a third six minutes later.

On Sunday, Letchworth faced even tougher opposition in unbeaten Sevenoaks, already runaway league champions and promoted to the National League.

Sevenoaks were on a high from a 7-0 thrashing of Cambridge University the previous day.

Letchworth again showed huge determination in undoubtedly their best team performance of the season.

With everyone competing hard and their back line in excellent form, Letchworth looked set to take at least a share of the points.

Only a well-taken goal from a penalty corner 10 minutes into the second half gave the hosts victory.

Letchworth fought hard to get back and at times clearly had the champs rattled, although keeper Teresa Hisgrove also pulled off a series of outstanding saves.

Despite the disappointment of this 1-0 defeat, they go into their final three games of the season on the back of a string of excellent performances and knowing that their poor early form is well behind them.

The local derby between Letchworth 2nds and Blueharts Ladies ended in a 1-1 draw.

Harts had won their last four games in a row but it was Letchworth that got the upper hand.

The home side's pressure resulted in the first goal after 20 minutes.

Distracted by Rachel Morey taking a blow to the face while defending, Harts allowed Sue Saunders to fire home a well-struck goal.

Harts piled on the pressure after the break, winning a series of short corners which they were unable to convert until a rebounded shot from Kerry Ross was finally put away by Jo O'Flaherty to draw level.

Blueharts seconds are confident of promotion after putting on their most outstanding performance this season to beat runaway league leaders and previously unbeaten Queenswood 4-1.

They took sweet revenge for a 5-0 loss earlier in the season.

Fine work from Jay Livermore and Gina Joseph saw Livermore drive into the goalmouth, wrong foot the goalie and slot the ball home in the first minute.

Outstanding strength and determination from Kate Rogers, Hillary Boyde, Kirsten Barnett, Sarah Ince and Sophie Field at the back and midfield saw Harts awarded a series of short corners. Two of these corners were converted by Barnett.

Queenswood converted a short corner in a scrappy goalmouth scramble before Livermore was denied an amazing individual goal when she hit the post.

Superb work from the Joseph/Livermore partnership allowed Joseph to drive home a fourth to complete the scoring.

Vanessa Benci and Melanie White scored the goals as Letchworth thirds beat their counterparts from Bishop's Stortford 2-0. Alex Caunce was player of the match due to her relentless attacks up the right wing.

The fourths shared four goals with their Leighton Buzzard rivals.

Stevenage Ladies were beaten 3-0 by Gillingham Anchorians.

The Kent side gained the advantage midway through the first half when they forced a goal from a short corner decision.

Stevenage rallied and applied pressure on the Anchorians defence and were rewarded with a penalty corner. But the opportunity was lost when a controversial decision gave Anchorians a free hit.

Anchorians continued to defend and on the counter attack scored their second.

They scored their third after the break and despite some strong play at the back from Holly Mould, Stevenage never seemed to find their rhythm.

The seconds lost 2-0 to Shefford and Sandy, while the thirds beat Leighton Buzzard 4-1 in a friendly thanks to goals from Tash Howe (two), Jo Thorpe and Sam Franklin.

The fourths went down 3-2 to Chiltern Ladies despite goals from Hayley Leeks and Catherine Kendall who helped in a shot by Maggie O'Connor.