CHELMSFORD ladies’ first team lost 3-0 to Harleston Magpies in EHL Conference East with a Jeckyl and Hyde performance.

Chelmsford put in a below-par performance in the first half of this tough game, but showed their true capabilities with a determined revival in the second half.

Harleston opened the scoring and after Jess Bryan had an equaliser ruled out, they scored a second when Chelmsford were down to 10 players following a yellow card for captain Kate Maxey.

In the second half Harleston scored a third goal before Chelmsford took control but were unable to beat the home defence. The ladies host Hampstead & Westminster at noon on Saturday.

There was defeat too for the men’s first team as they lost 4-2 away to Bedford.

Rob Plummer put Chelmsford ahead but errors led to Bedford equalising in the East Premier A match.

Bedford scored a goal and then from a penalty corner to lead 3-1 at half time.

Vas Veerapalan reduced the deficit as the second half started evenly but Bedford got their fourth when a pass was intercepted.

Things were better for the first team as they defeated Ipswich 5-4 in a re-arranged East Premier A game.

Steve Harrison opened the scoring and Harry Rayner made it 2-0 from a penalty corner before Ipswich pulled a goal back.

Plummer made it 3-1 before two Ipswich goals levelled the score. With 10 minutes left Rayner scored a second penalty corner only for Ipswich to equalise again.

But Veerapalan netted the winner ahead of this weekend’s trip to Old Loughtonians.

Chelmsford ladies’ third team hammered Romford 5-0 in Essex Premier.