Andover Ladies III 2 West Wilts Ladies 2.

A rollacoster of form for Andover Ladies III on Saturday meant they struggled to secure a deserved win against West Wilts two weeks before the start of the season.

Andover started the better side and a goal from Sarah Rose fed by Rachel Wiseman saw them take the lead but it wasn't long before things started going the way of the side from Wiltshire who equalised before half-time.

Andover took the lead again with an excellent strike from Emma Helsdown, again fed by Wiseman, however, in a repeat of the first half they fell away and allowed West Wilts to equalise and the game ended 2-2.

Andover Diamonds 4 US Portsmouth Vets 3.

ANDOVER Hockey Club’s veteran Diamonds were still riding high after their win last week at Salisbury when they took to the field against what was usually their old Nemesis, USP Vets.

That feeling was to continue when after nine minutes Alan Shaw scored following a combination of passes with Richard Romer-Lee.

The game then flowed from end to end with the Diamonds looking comfortable and in control and they extended their lead through Romer-Lee.

The second half saw the spring in the Diamonds’ step continue but USP scored shortly after the start which brought the Diamonds back down to earth.

Shaw’s second increasing the Diamonds lead in what was a hard physical game and Romer-Lee had to leave the pitch for treatment and gave the Diamonds cause for concern.

They regained control when John Priestley-Cooper scored their fourth but the euphoria was short lived when USP straight from the restart made it 4-3.

The last ten minutes were frantic but Diamonds were able to deal with anything USP threw at them.

They have now set the standard which they will have to maintain in this newly restructured league and only time will tell if they have the stamina and the will to stay at the top.