SALE Hockey Club's ladies firsts were on the wrong end of a seven-goal thriller at Northop in Cheshire Women's League Division One

The visitors started with their usual gusto and the attacks began, though their hockey was disjointed.

Northop stuck to their game plan and broke through to score an opener, before doubling their lead soon after.

Sale keeper Sarah Bedward injured her back in the process of the second goal and soon after the stoppage for treatment Northop scored again.

Sale had used the treatment time to regroup and Katy Levy slotted one back for them to make it 3-1 at the interval.

And they were better in the second half with Jane Fylan making it 3-2.

As the game wore on Northop broke through by a slightly lucky bounce and scored again before Hannah Aldridge converted a flurry of Sale pressure to take the score to 4-3.

Northop held strong and soaked up a lot of pressure right until the final whistle to seal victory.

The ladies seconds had a depleted squad of nine players for their home game against Macclesfield in Division One,

But they put in one of their best performances of the season, despite a 6-1 defeat, keeping their zonal play tight.

It took Macclesfield a while to break them down and score.

Sale were level when stand-in captain, Lou Rowley, fired a fantastic shot from the top of the circle straight into the bottom corner.

Two players down, Sale only conceded once more before half time.

The second half saw more good play with player-of-the-match Lisa Wilton outstanding in goal.

Sale eventually tired towards the end and Macclesfield, despite getting frustrated with themselves managed four more goals.

A thirds team of 10 travelled to Oxton in Division Four and went down 5-1

They took the lead and it was not until the second half that the hosts levelled.

Once they had, however, they went on to bag four more and put a convincing look on the scoreline.