Budgies stole a march on Ravens as the battle for the Bermuda field hockey title intensified last night, with Jasmine Patterson and Kascia White scoring improbable goals in a 2-0 victory over their rivals at the National Sports Centre last night.

Patterson, the league’s top scorer, was playing in defence because of a season-ending injury to Budgies team-mate LaKae Tavares, the Bermuda captain, but still found time to put her side 1-0 up in the 28th minute to find room in the shooting circle to score.

White then scored from the tightest of angles in the 46th after great work from Keishae Robinson to effectively seal the victory.

“I didn’t expect the goalkeeper not to save it, but it was a shot at goal,” White said. “In the D, shoot right away. That’s what I usually aim for as I cross the D line is take a shot at goal; either aim for a deflection or a goal and this time it just happened that it was a goal.”

Patterson used to play in defence, but her attacking instincts put her in good stead last night.

“We got a breakaway and I was there so I went for it,” she said.

“Luckily, I had my team-mates supporting me. We dribbled up and made a couple of two-on-two passes and the game just opened up for us.

“I started out as a centre back in my youth, so it’s been interesting making a return to using different skills and different style of play. I forgot how tough it was.”

Ravens will feel slightly aggrieved to have lost. Connie Betts hit wide with 15 minutes gone and Jess Hollis did the same after some superb interplay in the circle with Chrysda Smith.

Laura Hope then shot wide for Budgies after good work on the edge of the circle from Renee Greenslade.

Isabel Roe earned a penalty corner for Ravens, that Hollis took control of, but her shot deflected wide.

Patterson then made no mistake to give Budgies the lead, before Ravens had the last chance of the half, when Smith’s shot was deflected wide.

After White struck early in the second half, Ravens went agonisingly close again when Smith’s shot from a penalty corner was stopped on the line by Robinson.

Ravens will not have to wait long to attempt to avenge the defeat, as the side’s face each other next Friday at 6.30pm.

“It was a competitive game, as usual,” White said. “Against Ravens, it’s always competitive, but we kept to mark, defended well, didn’t let them score goals and put away our chances.”

There is more action at the NSC tomorrow, with Budgies taking on Canaries at 9.30am, Mixed B playing Ravens at 11.15 and Sandpipers facing Pink Robins at 12.30pm.