Bluebirds build a comfortable 3-0 lead over Swallows in a Women’s B League match last weekend, before holding on for a 3-2 victory as Swallows battled back in the second half.

Bluebirds dominated the opening from a quick field goal after just 45 seconds from Courtney Fassler who received the ball in midfield, slipped it to Jo-Ann Smith at the top of the circle before a cross to an unmarked Paula Few saw her fire past helpless goalkeeper Vicki Johnston.

The quick goal sparked the Bluebirds into action as they continued to fight and increased their lead in the 17th minute from a solo run by Maria Harris with a well-directed pass to the top of the circle to find the stick of Smith, who superbly struck the ball into the goal.

It was Smith again collecting the ball on the left side, beating the Swallows defence and the goalkeeper to complete her second field goal in the 23rd minute. Even though Swallows continued to mount pressure on the Bluebirds, each attempt was thwarted by goalkeeper Johnston’s great work in goal along with some outstanding defending.

The second half resumed with continued pressure from both sides as Swallows sought to reduce the deficit.

Swallows’ Liz Stewart scored a field goal three minutes into the second half after a scrimmage of play by both defence and attack and Kelli Nusum converted a penalty corner shot in the 59th minute from a hard push at the top of the circle.

Stewart nearly converted again to tie it up at 3-3 but she was denied by a great save from the Bluebirds goalkeeper.

Wildcats’ Ashley Steede scored a field goal in the 19th minute and Lesley Jane Smith of Canaries replied with a field goal in the 47th minute as Canaries B and Wildcats B played to a 1-1 draw.

On Sunday, Budgies B beat Longtails B 1-0 with Francesca Cacace executing a penalty corner shot in the 62nd minute for the only goal of the match.

In the Men’s League action, Spartans defeated Upstarts 5-2. The Upstarts goalkeeper did not turn up for the game and to avoid playing short, junior player Hemijah Bean filled in between the sticks.

Action was intense from the start with both teams attacking and defending well. Spartans’ Alex Godet was the playmaker and balls fed to him were either dribbled down the field, beating numerous players from the opposition, or moved among his team-mates.

Spartans broke through with a field goal in the fifth minute by Samuel Thompson from a powerful strike of the ball from the top of the circle. Two minutes later Upstarts’ Tyler Smith caught tied the score from a field goal.

Smith then added another goal in the 17th minute from another field goal. Five minutes later Joshua Thompson of Spartans scored from a field goal. A foul awarded Spartans with a penalty corner and Samuel Thompson converted his second goal of the match to give Spartans a 3-2 lead at the half.

The second half resumed and Spartans’ Donovan Simmons’ first attempt to dribble the ball down to the baseline beating all in his path only to see his pass not quite read by one of his junior team-mates.

Simmons was successful, however, at a second attempt at the same play soon after, this time finding Joshua Thompson who scored his second field goal in the 39th minute.

The stand in goalkeeper Bean had an outstanding game and made several save. However, Spartans’ Alex Godet sealed the win with a penalty corner in the 59th minute.

• The BHF will host Eastern University for three matches on January, 6, 8 and 10 against the Bermuda national and Federation teams. Matches will start at 6.30pm.