On a weekend of limited action in the East Region Hockey Leagues, Ely City Hockey club experienced a mixed bag of results - something the club will be coming accustomed to.

Only four of Ely teams were in action on Saturday - one men’s and two ladies’ - with two of the city’s sides facing St Ives opponents.

First up was Ely men’s first team, who had fresh legs for their tie with Horncastle firsts after their tie with Long Sutton 2nds last week was postponed.

However, rather than being rejuvinated after a weeks’ break, Ely’s men seemed rusty, and fell to only their second defeat this season; conceding four goals in a 4-2 loss.

Ely have struggled for consistency in 2016 - with both of the team’s defeats coming since the turn of the year - and their title charge appears to have been derailed as they trail Division Three North-West leaders Cambridge South 1sts by eight points.

Elsewhere, Ely Ladies’ first team, who had won their previous three Division Three North-West games, travelled to face St Ives Ladies 2nds, who, like Ely, are vying for a top-three finish this season.

Ely faced a St Ives side in inspired form last Saturday, and goals from Sally King and Helen Seabourn condemned Ely to only their fourth defeat this term. St Ives’ victory sees them move level on points with fourth-placed Ely on 51 points with a game in hand.

Ely Ladies second team were on home soil at the weekend, welcoming St. Ives 3rds on the back of an excellent 5-0 triumph over Newmarket in their last league game.

St. Ives posed more of a threat than Ely’s previous opponents, running them close but the hosts emerged victorious; edging a 2-1 win.

The 2nds’ eighth win of the season sees them move seventh in Division Four North-West (South) - six places above struggling Ely Ladies 3rds, who fell to yet another heavy defeat in the club’s third and final game of the weekend.

The thirds’ quest for a win - and a goal - continues after they were dismantled 7-0 by Haverhill 2nds.

Ely, whose only point this season comes from a 0-0 draw with Cambridge South thirds last month, now have a goal difference of minus 112 in Division Four North-West (South).