Bara Kavanova believes Saturday’s 2-1 win over Amersham and Chalfont could be a turning point in Brighton and Hove’s South Women’s Club’s League season.

Goals from the captain - her sixth in successive matches - from a penalty corner and Toni Catlow ended Brighton’s run of four straight defeats and showed the side is making progress.

“I would like to believe that this Saturday was a turning point for us,” reports Bara. “We were all over Amersham and Chalfont in the first half; however lack of goals and not scoring from a penalty stroke meant that after the first half we were only 1-0 up.

“We played some of our best hockey where we passed short accurate passes and even though we didn’t quite get ahead as much as we would like to we still had the game under control. At half time we remained calm and said we need to score more goals if we want to win.

“Our midfielders had a hard time as the opposition played man-to-man marking in the middle which forced us to attack on the sides. Luckily it didn’t take long and our man of the match Toni got around a couple of defenders and falling on the floor managed to get the ball into the net that got us a 2-0 lead.

“The game carried on in a similar scenario, only we were getting tired and at that point we had bigger gaps between forwards and defenders that let out opponents get one goal back. Final score then was 2-1. As usual the score doesn’t quite match up our attacking D entries; however we did make massive progress compared to where we were two weeks ago.”

Brighton travel to Wanderers on Saturday knowing a win would take them into the top half of the league.

The 2s continue to set the pace in the Sussex League premier division but we’re made to work hard for their 3-2 win over Crawley 1s.

“This Saturday saw us back at home against Crawley who are a tough team, who don’t give up and have a very handy centre midfielder who was likely to control the game if we were not careful,” reports Andrea Catlow.

“We are currently top of the league and certainly didn’t want to lose any points to a mid-table team. As soon as the whistle went, the heavens opened and it solidly rained for the entire game. This didn’t deter us and we went out strongly passing the ball around with good speed and accuracy.

“The pressure was put on Crawley right from up front with Ange, Jo, Ted and Shelley constantly moving and creating chances. The ball was switched well across back and midfield with some of the best hockey we’ve played since the start of the season. All the pressure eventually paid off and our first short corner resulted in a goal for a right slip to Kelly and then back to Jo on the p spot.

“Crawley continued to battle but were no match for the skill of Redders, Kelly and Sam in midfield and we consistently worked so well as a team that Crawley barely had possession. Another short corner again out to Kelly but this time back to Diva on the p spot resulted in another goal. Ted graciously gave Diva her first goal for Brighton as no one was sure which side of the line Ted touched it to make sure it went in!

“The defence with Alex S, Hannah and Laura on the wings were strong in getting to the ball first and ensuring Crawley were not getting through. Wendy and Diva worked well together to protect the middle and Wendy pushed forward to overload our attack and create some great play.

“With an important half-time team talk from Kate telling us whilst we were playing very well we couldn’t be complacent, we entered the second half knowing Crawley would fight back. For the first 15 minutes, we continued to put the pressure on Crawley but they had now upped their game and our short corners wouldn’t go in and their goal keeper made several crucial saves.

“Ted, who continues to get better every week, had some great attacking one-on-ones, and Kelly and Redders made some great quick paced runs into the D. Finally, a great move from Shelley along the baseline back to Ange on the p spot gave our first goal of open play and extended our lead to 3-0.

“Crawley wouldn’t give up and they moved their most influential player further up the field and she intercepted a pass from Diva across the back which resulted in a one-on-one with Jess who up to this point had barely touched the ball. An amazing shot straight in the corner off the post.

“The momentum shifted and the game became more even as Crawley started to fight and breakthrough. The play moved from end to end making the defence work harder than they had all game until finally Crawley won a short corner and another excellent strike from their best player took the game to the 3-2.

“There was a nail-biting few last minutes as we fought out the game as winners with our top of the table slot intact.

“Congratulations to our teammate Irish who couldn’t make our game due to her wedding – think that is an acceptable excuse! Finally, a big thanks to Kate for coaching and all our supporters (including an injured Mary Beth - who hopefully will be fit for this week) who stood in that rain getting absolutely drenched!”

The 3s went down 2-0 to Middleton 1s in the same division.

Christine Cawte reports: “The 3s travelled to the depths of Littlehampton to take on Middleton in a game we knew could go either way.

“We started out strong and quickly put pressure on Middleton in their D; however we couldn’t seem to find the back board. Middleton, with their own unique style of keeping their high forward almost in the goal, launched a counterattack but were expertly denied by our solid defence line. Vaughan, Bish, Maia and MOM Kim, relentlessly block tackled, picked the ball from under their sticks and denied them space despite facing a barrage of questionable tackles.

“With 0-0 at half time, we knew Middleton would come back fighting - quite literally - and use their anger and aggression to bulldoze their way into our D. Midfield continued to work their socks off with the battery-powered Kat White tirelessly running in the mid in addition to our new junior Maelona who showed great skill and resilience during her debut with us.

“Our legendary GK Emily saved every short corner they gained - even with the very tip of her kicker.

“Middleton broke through several times and managed to secure two goals whilst we were focussed on the fouls they had just committed.

“DOD was awarded to Juliet (Postie was given the week off as her dad came to watch) who, despite being a qualified surgeon, asked the most ridiculous questions en route to the match then proceeded to to bring a £50 note to teas to buy a cup of tea...”

In division one there were defeats for the 4s - who conceded three late goals in a 5-2 home defeat by leaders Eastbourne 2s - and the 5s, who lost 5-1 away at South Saxons after conceding three early goals.

"Buzzing after watching the amazing England v New Zealand rugby game, the 4s skipped on down to the pitches to face our own top of the league match," reports Louise Campbell.

"We were a strong team and had some amazing supporters on the sideline. The game started off well, we had some strong passes around the defence and switching play. The goals kicked off with a sly tap in from Molly, and we were feeling smug (not quite in the first two minutes like England, but we weren’t far off!).

"However Eastbourne weren’t willing to make it easy for us and they soon equalised with a goal of their own. Before the half time whistle a deflection by Lou from an awesome cross from Cressie put us back in the game, only to be brought back to a draw with another goal from Eastbourne.

"The second half was a head-to-head battle, both teams evenly matched and some unbelievable runs with shots on goals missing by mere inches from our forwards. One cheeky run from Amanda, who took a very quick ball and dashed up the field, had the opposition as jittery as the New Zealand back line!

"However we lost our rhythm for a very sour 10 minutes right at the end of the match which saw Eastbourne steal three quick goals, leaving the end score an unfortunate 5-2 loss."

“After the Battle at Blatch last Saturday, this Saturday it was the Battle of Hastings,” reports 5s skipper Caroline Mulliner. “Turning up with a mixed bunch of players (thank you all for coming all that way), I think we were still trying to figure out players names and our best positions when we found ourselves 3-0 down within the first 15 minutes.

“Take nothing away from South Saxons; they were a well drilled team with lots of quick movement on and off the ball and they took their chances and finished their goals well, including the one that had clearly crossed the back line by a good foot before they played on and put it in the back of the net.

“This made us slightly annoyed so we came back at them, creating chances and getting a well deserved goal back from a short corner.

“We went into half time 4-1 down, so made some tactical changes and applied better pressure on them in the second half, finally finishing the game 5-1, thankfully just before the heavens truly opened.

“I’m sure we’ll be better prepared for the return battle at Blatch.

The 6s preserved their perfect winning record by beating previously unbeaten East Grinstead by the only goal.

Michaela Kerrigan reports: “As the storms clouds loomed over Brighton the most anticipated match of the the season so far was about to begin. A good warm up, a welcome to our newest player Elisha, some wise words from stand in captain Jo and some great reflective learning points from Julia and Anah set us off for in the direction of an epic encounter.

“The usual brilliantly executed box drills and penalty corner rehearsals clearly psyched out EG, the only other unbeaten team in the league. But that was about to change. In the words of Larna, it was a spicy affair. The game was end to end with plenty of controlled aggression (at least from us) and skill displayed throughout the field.

“The tension built more and more through the goalless first half which saw a great performance by the EG goalie including saving one of Anah’s trademark tomahawks with their stick at shoulder height, brilliant!

“Half time words of wisdom from Wendy delivered succinctly by Cheeks (and Goose) spurred us on. As the second half got underway, EG began to crack under the pressure of wave after wave of attack. It still could have gone either way with several good breaks from their speedy youngsters.

“Suddenly a pass of brilliance (or was it just fluke, or as Laura describes it, a happy accident) from Laura picked up by Katie making an awesome run which included some astounding stick skills saw her open up the stunned EG defence to score the only and defining goal of the match with pure brilliance.

“But the challenge was by no means over. EG fought to the last minute, hurling players into our D. At times it felt inevitable that they were going to score. But the 6s resilient qualities were too much for EG to overcome, and at the final whistle, the outstanding team effort was admired by all of the adoring fans that had braced the now wet and worsening conditions.

“What an enthralling game to behold, what an awesome team. Come on the super 6's. It's coming home, it's coming home...

“Player of the Match was Katie. DoD was Katie, but overruled and awarded to our wonderful captain Michaela, just cause we love her so much. Get in there you beauties!”

In division three the 7s were without a fixture while the 8s suffered a 7-0 home reverse against high flying Southwick 2s.