Laura Ludlow hits hat-trick to send Cambridge South to victory

Laura Ludlow made it consecutive hat-tricks against Alford & District as Cambridge South stayed on course for their highest finish in the club’s history after a 7-1 win over East Women’s League, Division 2NW.

Ludlow had scored a treble in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, but it was in a 5-3 defeat, so South were seeking revenge and were 4-0 up by half time.

Player-of-the-match Ludlow’s hat-trick was added to by two goals apiece from Alice Hug and Robyn Murray as South moved third in the table.

South II moved to within one game of the perfect season after winning an intra-club derby over South III 2-1 in 4NW (S).

South II had won every match this season, while South III were unbeaten since early December.

Kath Atkin swept home the opening goal for South III, having been set up by Zara Mann.

They could have doubled their lead from a penalty stroke, but Jasmine Ong’s effort was saved by South II keeper Louise Robeson.

After half time, Rebecca Frith scored South II’s equaliser, and their winning goal came 10 minutes from time as captain Izzy MacDonald-Parry set up Hannah Snow to score.

South II’s player-of-the-match award was shared by Sarah Haddow and Jess Woodhouse, while keeper Ana Sear took the South III accolade.

Meg Crowson, Heidi Baber and Emma Shinkin scored for Cambridge City in a 3-1 win at Ipswich in Investec Women’s Hockey League, Conference East.