Sheffield Hallam ladies off to a flyer in North Premier Division

The visitors started slowly but kept their hosts at bay and gradually began to take control of the game.

Young England player Sophie Flint scored the opener following some excellent link-up play between Eleanor Milbourn and Natasha Richardson.

Alice Cullen, a summer signing from York, made two superb saves to keep Sheffield ahead before Jemima Board, returning to the club after university studies, robbed the Liverpool full back and then calmly beat the goalkeeper the give Hallam a 2-0 half time lead.

Sheffield were much more composed in the second half but despite a number of penalty corners were unable to add to their lead.

Eventually they found the net with yet another field goal and a second for Board.

Hallam’s men’s first team were unable to match the ladies and finished on the wrong end of a 4-0 scoreline at much-fancied Bowdon.

Martin Sutherland returned to the side after three seasons with Leeds and Henry Pymm made his debut after his summer move from Doncaster.

They entertain Deeside this Sunday (1.45pm).

The newly-promoted ladies second team drew 2-2 at home to local rivals Sheffield University Bankers first team.

Trixie Morrison-Parry put Hallam ahead but the home side needed a late penalty corner from Sally Rawlings to claim a share of the spoils.