With Captain Chadwick unavailable Saxons fielded a young team with the returning Lucy Costello stepping in as captain of a bare XI, and Supermum Nikki Taylor coaching from the sideline.

The ladies began their campaign against Crowborough. Young centre forward Mary Taylor scoring first from a powerful hit from just inside the D that rocketed unseen past the stranded keeper. Saxons continued to dominate, some fine stick work from Hollie Pooke, who slipped the ball past the oncoming keeper to bring the Score to 2-0. Crowborough broke, but some fine defending from the back stopped them in their tracks, and a fast passing manoeuvre through the midfield supplied Taylor with a second opportunity to hit the backboard and take the final score to 3-0.

Saxons met Burgess Hill in their second game. Although there was some exceptional hockey from the midfield, a turnover allowed Burgess Hill to win a penalty corner which deflected off a Saxons stick past the keeper. Undeterred by the Burgess Hill lead, the team regrouped and then proceeded to secure three more at the correct end with two from ‘on fire’ Taylor, and a spectacular aerial shot by Elysia Wright that shook the Burgess Hill net. Saxon emerging winners with a score of 3-1.

Unfortunately, there was little respite and Saxons faced Mid-Sussex straight after. With back to back games and no subs, fatigue set in and pace and focus were lost for the first period, Saxons conceding a field goal, going 1-0 down just before half time. After a constructive team chat and the players found a new surge of energy. Molly Gransden negotiated the defence and sent the keeper the wrong way, comfortably taking a shot on her reverse stick to level the score. Energised by this Saxons continued to dominate but just ran out of time so had to settle for the draw. The result put them 4 points clear of second place and subsequently securing the top spot in the group.

Saxons await the result of the other group to learn who they will face in the Vase Final on the 12th May 2018.

Saxons:
M. Taylor (GK), L. Whiteman, L Costello (c), M. Gransden, N. Gransden, H. Pooke, B. Taylor, M. Taylor, E. Wright, A. Merison, E. Jacobs