PETERSFIELD Hockey Club’s ladies’ first team returned to winning ways with a comprehensive 6-0 victory against Andover Ladies’ second team on Saturday.

The home side dominated the game almost immediately. S Bardoe and Beaton were supported by Easton as Petersfield pressed towards Andover’s D.

Goalscoring opportunities came from numerous short corners, where Petersfield experimented with several well-rehearsed routines.

The industrious opposition keeper was required to repel well-targeted shots from R Leach and A Leach.

Launching a succession of assaults the home side’s patience finally paid off five minutes before the end of the first half when Forest received the ball from Briggs and expertly teased her opponent and rolled the ball out to R Leach.

Skilfully channelling her efforts down the left, the winger slipped a precise pass to Hedges just outside the 16, resulting in a free hit for the home side.

Beaton was aware of Easton’s sudden run to the left of the D and she passed to her team-mate, who accelerated to the baseline intersection. From what seemed like an unlikely goalscoring angle, Easton’s audacious strike found its way over the line.

Deemed to be outside the D, a brief debate followed between the umpires before they concluded the well-deserved goal should be awarded.

Petersfield continued to dominate in the second half.

On the right wing Eames repeatedly accelerated towards the baseline. On two occasions she whipped pinpoint passes to the penalty spot and the top of the D, allowing team-mates Hedges and J Bardoe to take full advantage and advance the scoreline to 3-0.

Llewellyn handled any attacks down the right wing with composure, patiently shadowing and skilfully jab tackling her frustrated opponent.

Offloads were made to Briggs, who was able to initiate successful transfers between herself, Easton and Sebastian-Todd, which served to wear down the opposition and build creative play from the back.

Sebastian-Todd had an immaculate game and ensured the route to goal via the right wing was impassable.

Goalkeeper Jones was well protected, but when called upon she denied Andover any realistic chance of hitting the backboard as she comfortably protected her clean sheet.

Ten minutes before time Petersfield added to the scoreline. Hedges intercepted and offloaded the ball inside the D to J Bardoe, who was able to drive the ball over the line.

Shortly afterwards S Bardoe injected from a short corner, where Hedges gratefully accepted the ball and hit a ferocious shot to the backboard.

It was the Leach sisters who had the final say, finding pockets of space with positive exchanges on the left. R Leach provided her older sibling with an opportunity, and A Leach hit a well-executed shot past the sprawling keeper to make the final score 6-0.

Petersfield Ladies will be aiming for a second successive win when they travel to fifth-placed United Services Portsmouth Ladies on Saturday.