A SHORTAGE of available players proved costly for the March Hockey Club teams at the weekend and the only victory came from in East Men s League Division Three North West, where March cruised to a 6-0 victory at home to Bourne II. March played some of the

A SHORTAGE of available players proved costly for the March Hockey Club teams at the weekend and the only victory came from in East Men's League Division Three North West, where March cruised to a 6-0 victory at home to Bourne II.

March played some of their best hockey of the season and outclassed the bottom-of-the-league side. Two goals from skipper Charlie Bester and another from Rob Mitchell gave March a 3-0 half-time lead.

Daniel Shirley scored from a penalty corner before Mitchell scored his second and Bester completed his hat-trick.

March I were unlucky to come away from their Division Two North match at Peterborough III with nothing but they had to stomach a 3-2 defeat.

Graham Sait put March ahead with his first league goal of the season but the home side got back on level terms before the break.

Peterborough took the lead for the first time but when Jody Betts hit the target, March looked the more likely to take the points.

However, with just two minutes remaining, poor March defending led to a City break and an agonising late winner.

In Division Five, March III were no match for home side Newmarket I and slumped to a 2-0 defeat.

Adam Triggs hit the post but this was as close as March came to scoring and a goal in each half gave the home side the points.

March IV were forced to field a very inexperienced team in their Division Six match at Market Deeping III, but they pushed their opponents all the way.

Three unanswered goals in the first half put Market Deeping in control but Matt Wallis reduced the arrears before the break.

March were far better in the second half and when Duncan Seaton netted his first league goal of the season, the visitors pushed hard for the equaliser.

However, despite good attacking play March were unable to find the back of the net.

A young March V side came up against a Bourne IV side full of senior players in their home Division Seven fixture, and it was no surprise that they lost 6-0.

Jack Nisbet had a good game and Daniel Woods was voted player of the match for March.

March Ladies I knew that their game at East League Division Two North leaders, Lincoln I would provide a stern test and they struggled against a well-drilled team.

Two goals from penalty corners gave the home side a 2-0 half-time break and three more in the second half rewarded Lincoln with a flattering 5-0 scoreline.

A depleted March Ladies II side faced considerable pressure in the first half of their Cambs Ladies Premier League fixture at Cambridge University III but limited the home side to a single goal.

Defender and player of the match Jo Howard was outstanding in the second half and March created chances to score but the home side held on for the points.

Player unavailability forced March Ladies III into conceding their Division Two fixture at home to St Neots IV. Saints were therefore awarded a 3-0 victory.