THERE were mixed results for the Isle of Wight Hockey Club's sides on Saturday, with most of them well placed in their respective leagues.

                                    CHICHESTER LADIES 5, ISLE OF WIGHT LADIES 0
THE Island ladies could not have had a tougher battle away at league leaders Chichester. 

The opposition took a two-goal lead and were on for a third, but for desperate defending by Isle of Wight preventing the shot, that resulted in a penalty flick, which was missed and kept the Island in the game. 

Just when the Islanders worked hard to get a firm foothold in the game — working tirelessly in the midfield to create pressure on the opposition's goal — Chichester added another strike against the run of play to send the Isle of Wight 3-0 down at half-time.

The Island came out stronger in the second half — continuing to press and won a series of short corners. 

Chichester defended as well as they attacked.

The game played out with the opposition adding two more to their tally.

                                    ISLE OF WIGHT MEN II 3, US PORTSMOUTH II 2
THE Island men’s second team welcomed league leaders United Services Portsmouth, who were four points clear at the top of the table with two games to play.

Knowing a draw or loss would hand Pompey the league title in this first versus second encounter, the Island was in no mood to let them win without a fight — and were seeking revenge after their previous away loss to their local rivals.

From the first whistle, the Island put the opposition under pressure, with Thomas Young firing just wide. 

Against the run of play, a quickly taken free hit in their half was transferred to the forwards, who managed to squeeze off a shot which went past the despairing Lewis Wells in goal. 

Moments later, Stephen Woodford opened his account to equalise after the opposition failed to clear their lines. 

Playing at a much higher intensity, Isle of Wight started the second half well, but again, Portsmouth took the lead with a scrappy goal. 

However, the Island's midfield and forwards began to carve their way back into it — pinning them back with sustained pressure. 

Eventually, Woodford bagged his second. 

Then Nathan Bruce’s goalbound shot was stopped by a phenomenal recovering save from the Pompey keeper. 

Great midfield interplay found veteran striker Young just inside the circle, who turned on the spot and fired the ball into the bottom right corner to put the Island in front, with 15 minutes left. 

US Portsmouth were desperate to level things and could not believe how Nik Goode spectacularly cleared a goalbound strike off the line. 

Wells was also forced into multiple saves, while Ash Metcalfe made several crucial defensive tackles as the Island held firm.

                                                ISLE OF WIGHT MEN 0, FAREHAM III 1
THE men’s first string had a closely fought battle against Fareham’s III, but came away on the wrong end of the scoreline. 

They do, however, remain comfortably top of the table.

                                  ISLE OF WIGHT LADIES II 5, HASLEMERE LADIES V 0
THE Island ladies' seconds secured another convincing victory, which saw them move up to third in the table.

The goals were scored by Aly Townend (2), Dee Sanchez-Brown (2) and Evie Longson.