England Hockey Women’s Conference East league leaders Hampstead & Westminster W2s proved to be very tough opponents at Paddington Rec on Saturday afternoon.

H&W showed why they have every chance of promotion to Division 1 South as they played with skill and a great pace especially on the break. Loughts had to defend for most of the first quarter with Phoebe Menear as ever on fine form in the Loughts goal and were only 2 minutes away from a goalless period until Hampstead struck twice in the dying minutes. Firstly another quick break into the D saw the ball ricochet into the net. A penalty corner strike then made it 2-0 as time elapsed in the quarter.

Loughts settled into the second quarter and it was a much more even spell in the match. As the half entered it’s final minutes Old Loughts won their first penalty corner of the game and Georgia Davies took a break from her outstanding defensive duties to send an unerring slapped shot into the bottom corner to give Loughts hope of a comeback.

Hampstead extended their lead back to two goals with another penalty corner midway through the third quarter. Although Loughts were creating their own chances with India Blake going closest with a fantastic strike that flew only inches wide after a stunning move.

With only six minutes remaining in the game another corner gave Hampstead a final goal, an hat trick for their corner specialist and a well deserved victory.

Loughts remain in 5th place with just two games remaining as they travel to West London to face London Wayfarers in their final away game of the season.