Old Loughtonians Women’s 1s returned to winning ways with an impressive 3-1 victory over local rivals East London in the England Hockey Women’s Conference East in Chigwell on Saturday.

A bright start to the game by Loughts was rewarded after 12 minutes as they won a penalty corner. Although the planned routine broke down the ball fell to Katie Gleeson whose fierce drive found the bottom corner.

However the lead did not last long as East London equalised with a superb spin and shot from just inside the D with only a minute remaining in the first quarter.

The second quarter saw Loughts almost retake the lead as Lucy Price and Violet Gray combined to feed Tash Patient who almost finished from close range. Another fine move saw Emily Holmes’ strike deflected just wide of the target.

The third quarter started in perfect fashion for Loughts as Adele Sammons found Maddy Newlyn inside the D in the opening minute and she made no mistake to make it 2-1.

The lead was extended to two goals ten minutes later as Maddy Newlyn’s raking pass picked out Emily Holmes and as the keeper advanced Holmes slotted the ball under her and into the net.

Loughts worked tirelessly in the final quarter to ensure that their defences were not to be breached and duly claim all three points.

The result leaves Loughts in 5th place as they go into the autumn break before returning to action away at Spencer on November 2nd.