Harleston 1 Cambridge Uni 1

Premier A

Harleston Magpies 1 Cambridge University 1

Harleston hosted league leaders Cambridge University this weekend in a top of the table clash.

The game started at a high intensity, with Cambridge pressing well and throwing everything at Magpies, but Harleston withstood the pressure with excellent defending from Carl Sitch and Stuart Leate.

After Tom Sumner managed to work the ball out from right-back Harleston won a short corner which Andy Hipwell dispatched with a powerful drag flick. This rocked the Cambridge side and subsequently Magpies started to dominate the rest of the half. Harleston were unlucky not to double their lead when Andy Hipwell lashed a cross past the far post.

Harleston withstood more pressure towards the end of the half, David Francis clearing well at a short corner.

The second half started in the same vein as the first, with Cambridge coming at Harleston, but this allowed Harleston to hit Cambridge on the break. Harleston won another corner and Hipwell again got hold of it, but this time he was unfortunate to see his shot rattle off the post.

The game then started to get more and more stretched which produced some great end-to-end hockey to watch. Harleston were twice reduced to ten men but managed to hold on to their lead with great defensive work from every member of the squad.

With a minute to go, and Magpies tiring, they were dealt a cruel blow though when Cambridge equalised with a well taken deflection and, with barely enough time to restart the game, Harleston had to settle for a draw.

Next weekend sees Harleston travel to local rivals Dereham where they will welcome back Neil Toulson and Toby Tibbenham as they hope to keep their title hopes alive.