HOCKEY: While the rest of the division plays catch-up, Ipswich Ladies return to league action the following day. The Tuddenham Road side played Slough – tomorrow's scheduled opponents – before the winter break, as the west Londoners are abroad in the European Indoor Cup Winners Cup, so their programme restarts the following day at home to Sutton Coldfield.

WHILE the rest of the division plays catch-up, Ipswich Ladies return to league action the

following day.

The Tuddenham Road side played Slough – tomorrow's scheduled opponents – before the winter break, as the west Londoners are abroad in the European Indoor Cup Winners Cup, so their programme restarts the following day at home to Sutton Coldfield.

Ipswich Ladies should be too good for the midlanders who rely too heavily on the talents of Jane Sixsmith up front.

Ipswich, however, are effective all over the pitch, with newcomers Liane Shadrack and Tanya Barnard having made an impact this season.

Both have scored vital goals, with Shadrack ghosting in from midfield to make the most of the opportunities that come her way.

She will be supported by the likes of Jo Ellis and the versatile Colleen Adcock, while Sarah Bamfield has been looking sharp up front since her return to the club.

Sutton Coldfield flirted with relegation from the Premier Division of the English Hockey League last season and only escaped by the skin of their teeth. This season has been remarkably similar and while they are on the same points at the bottom as Doncaster, they have a far worse goal difference.

After last week's success against Dereham, Ipswich Ladies seconds will view their trip to draw specialists Anchorians with a certain amount of pleasure and ought to come away with all three points.