Blues held by leaders

East Men's League Division One Harpenden 3 Wapping 3 HARPENDEN Hockey Club went into battle with East Men's Division One leaders Wapping on Saturday and had to cope without two key players. Aussie midfield maestro Lance Boyd-Clark was ruled out following recent shoulder surgery and regular 'keeper David Jones was unavailable. Debutant 'keeper Jon Allen who came into the side made a fine save early on and Harp captain Mike Emes fired home a penalty stroke at the other end to make it 1-0. Harps then suffered disappointment when Danny Burgess was unfortunate not to win a penalty corner and, as they looked for a second, Emes' flick was saved only for the Wapping 'keeper to then deny Baines on the follow up. Wapping hit back against the run of play after a defensive mix up to level at 1-1 but Harpenden responded with a second goal. Sweeper David Jeffery followed up another short corner to put the Blues 2-1 ahead at the break. During his half time talk skipper Emes asked his players for more of the same, but the second half turned in to a scrappy affair, with neither side able to exert any real control. Baines was yellow-carded and Wapping equalised again, before the leaders took the lead with the rebound after another fine save from Allen. After going 3-2 down, Harps hit back and good work from Baines in the D left Ali 'Jabba' Hutson the simple task of sweeping home from close range. At 3-3 both teams continued to push for a winner and it was Harpenden who came closest, with Nigel Timms hitting the side netting and older brother Russell unable to convert at the far post from a pinpoint cross from right back Paul Davison. The Men's Seconds also went without a win as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat against Shefford and Sandy. On Saturday Harpenden go in search of a double over Spalding who the Blues beat 2-1 earlier in the campaign.