THERE were important games for the March Hockey Club teams, on Saturday, and three vital points were picked up by March V in their battle against relegation. A victory at Ely IV, also struggling in East League Division Seven, was imperative for the March

THERE were important games for the March Hockey Club teams, on Saturday, and three vital points were picked up by March V in their battle against relegation.

A victory at Ely IV, also struggling in East League Division Seven, was imperative for the March side and they achieved it in style, winning 5-0.

A brace from Sam Shepherd put March 2-0 up at the break. Fine defending from player of the match Ben Wright kept Ely out in the second half and Martin Todd's goal gave the visitors some breathing space.

March continued to push forward and Ashley Welland's strike and a second for Todd clinched victory.

A win was also needed by March II in their bid to fight relegation in Division Three but they had to settle for a point against bottom side Spalding II.

March keeper and player of the match Matthew Lynn made some vital saves but Spalding's pressure led to them opening up a 2-0 lead at the break.

The home side were transformed in the second half and Brian Fox put them back in the game before a superb brace from skipper Charlie Bester put March 3-2 up.

But the visitors hit back and scored a dramatic equaliser in the dying minutes.

Both March III and March IV enjoyed comprehensive 4-1 victories, on Saturday.

A win was never in doubt for March III in their Division Five match at Boston II, and ruthless finishing put them 4-0 ahead at half time.

Adam Triggs' double and goals from Chris Peckett and Gary Howsam gave March the advantage and a late Boston goal proved no more than a consolation.

It was a similar story for March IV, who entertained Ely III in their Division Six clash.

Again, the March side took no prisoners in front of goal and Lewis Hilliard, Andrew Wright and Matt Wallis all found the back of the net within the first 20 minutes.

Ely reduced the arrears before half-time but Hilliard's second-half strike from an acute angle ensured the points went to March.

March I were left aggrieved with some of the umpiring decisions in their 3-3 Division Two draw at high-fliers Sudbury.

The home side opened the scoring in a pulsating first half but March hit back with a brace form player of the match Rob Mitchell.

Sudbury got back onto level terms but skipper Jody Betts restored the visitors' lead on the stroke of half-time.

A debatable penalty corner led to Sudbury's equaliser and Hugh Whittome almost snatched a deserved victory for March in the last attack of the game.