Southend and Benfleet Ladies first team scored a whopping eight against Clacton in a weekend of 21 goals for the seaside club.

Mance Milne scored a stunning four goals, while Lora Sharples bagged a brace. Kerry Marriott and captain Anne Johnson netted one apiece.

The ladies have enjoyed a fantastic start to the season with a reshuffled side. Anne Johnson has gelled her new-look team together well and the results just keep coming.

Ladies' 2nd X1 captain Liz Tickle turned out for her side with broken toes as the half-term holidays left her with a selection nightmare.

Despite an exciting match, Claire Powell's two goals were not enough for the girls to beat Earls Colne, who managed three.

The men's first team found themselves losing by one goal - despite netting five of their own.

In a real thriller, strikes from Andy Poulain (2), Barry Puncher, Rob Sanders and Neil Utton were not enough to keep Harpenden at bay.

Veteran Puncher said it was one of the most exciting games he had ever played in, despite the result.

The 2nd X1 continued their unbeaten start to the season, but squandered a 4-2 lead over Ipswich to draw 4-4.

Ipswich took the lead after just two minutes, but Southend replied a quarter of an hour later through Micky Walsh, who found himself on the end of an Andre Jenkins defensive clearance with only the Ipswich keeper to beat.

Danny Alvin gave the seasiders the lead with a deft touch before the tractor boys pulled level.

Another goal from Alvin, and one from Puncher with just five minutes remaining, set Southend up for victory. However, last minute strikes from a penalty corner and penalty flick were enough to give Ipswich a share of the points.

A young third team played out of their skins to come out 2-1 victors over Saffron Walden. Two strikes from Alex Watson after terrific build-up play were enough to secure the win.

Veteran Mike Tetley, a club member since the 1950s, whose age was the combination of any other three players on the pitch, proved with his solid performance at the back that hockey truly is a game for all ages to enjoy.

Tetley, 69, said: "It is a thrill to still represent the club I have given my life to and a joy to see the youth taking up the reins."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.