SLIDESHOW: Super Matt gives Saints a derby edge

Keeper Matt Upchurch starred as St Francis won 3-1 at local rivals Mid Sussex.
Hockey. Burgess Hill v East Grinstead II. Pic Steve RobardsHockey. Burgess Hill v East Grinstead II. Pic Steve Robards
Hockey. Burgess Hill v East Grinstead II. Pic Steve Robards

Alex Waters gave Saints an early lead but it needed a string of unbelievable saves by Upchurch to keep the lead intact before a great team goal by Chris Batchelor made it 2-0.

Saints captain Pete Mowforth stunned everyone by embarking on a run into enemy territory and his shot went in off a Mid Sussex stick for 3-0.

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The second half included a host of short corners for Middies, who finally beat the defiant Upchurch.

Saints 2nds lost 5-0 to Horsham 3rds and not even a MoM performance by Ed Whitehead could save the 4ths from a 6-0 defeat by East Grinstead.

But in an equally one-side match, the 3rds beat Mid Sussex 3-0. It could and should have been more as Saints dominated with a MoM display by Josh Brown. The scorers were Yanek Lewandowski (2) and Andrew Lineham.

Burgess Hill teams suffered at the hands of mighty East Grinstead on Saturday, with the 1sts losing 5-0 to the title favourites at the Triangle.

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At Ardingly the 3rds went down 7-0 to their EG counterparts, while the 4ths lost 7-1 to EG 4ths.

1st team keeper Harriet Dakin was back to her best in restricting the talented visitors to a 2-0 half time lead.

After the break Hill kept up an impressive work rate but failed to convert any of their several short corners.

Despite conceding three more goals they showed their potential with notable performances from youngsters Kira Branagan, Rebecca Chee, Hannah Kohli, Charlotte Childs, Florence Williams, Johanna Lawless and Sophia Davis. The more senior Sarah Corney also played well in the heart of the defence.

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EG 3rds are also a class act but a 7-0 win was hardly flattering to a Hill team who can be proud of the be proud of their display.

Three goals in the last 10 minutes of the first half proved decisive despite some outstanding saves by Avni Vadgama and a faultless performance by Chris Mclellan.

Rachel Willoughby scored the 4th team’s consolation goal five minutes from time after ML Kersley held the Hill back line together as they trailed only 2-0 at the break.

Jackie Little and Tanya Rayward worked tirelessly in midfield and star player was keeper Grace Crouchman.

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At least there was respite as Hill 2nds beat Horsham 5ths 8-1 thanks to hat-tricks by Tammy Falls and Jess Ollington, plus one apiece from Lucy Venables and Rosie Crichton.

The club’s Ambers lost 5-0 to an experienced Eastbourne Chicks despite a much-improved second half display.

Hill’s under 16s turned in another classy display as Sophia Davies scored six in an 8-2 victory over Lewes on Sunday, five in the first half.

Ciara Branagan and Izzie Childs were the other scorers.

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