Harleston hosted a strong Bedford side who had experienced mixed results during the start of the season. The game was abandoned with Harleston leading 1-0.

Harleston hosted a strong Bedford side who had experienced mixed results during the start of the season.

The game was abandoned with Harleston leading 1-0.

Harleston lined up with a different formation, seeing Pete Bale switch to left midfield with James Wheeler dropping back into right midfield. On a cold, wintry day, Bedord started the stronger with the bit between their teeth.

Despite early pressure the Harleston back line would not buckle, and with snow settling on the pitch, Harleston struggled to play the flowing hockey the crowd was used to.

With the game becoming more open, Harleston thought they should have been awarded a penalty stroke when Richard Ling was dramatically up-ended by the on-rushing goalkeeper.

But Harleston soon found themselves in front after Pete Bale hassled the Bedford back line into a mistake and laid the ball calmly across to Neil Toulson, who slotted home.

Bedford came straight back into the game, pushing forward. Harleston had the reactions of Richard Harms to thank for keeping them in front when the keeper reacted well, low down to his right.

As the game came to a boil, with James Wheeler and Pete Bale were lucky to only receive a warning after a couple of late tackles.

With the snow starting to fall, the teams could only emerge for two minutes in the second half before the umpires had to call an end to the game.

With the game not standing, Harleston's lead at the top of the table has been cut to five points but they have a game in hand. They travel to Wisbech this week, which promises to be a tough encounter.