Oxford Hawks suffered their second successive National South Division defeat against Indian Gymkhana, going down 3-2, but were left feeling hard done by after the opposition were awarded two controversial penalty strokes.

Hawks started brightly and were much the better side.

They opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when Andrew Baggs slotted a low drag-flick into the bottom right corner.

The lead lasted only six minutes when an Indian Gymkhana short corner was scrambled in by Ranveer Virdi.

Hawks regained the lead three minutes before half-time. A pinpoint pass from man-of-the-match Richard Fogden set Nick Lamb on his way, with his pass falling to James Neilson in the D and he finished well from close range.

On 49 minutes, Indian Gymkhana were awarded their first penalty after Toby Roche's last-ditch tackle was harshly adjudged to have been a foul. Ranveer Virdi netted the resulting stroke.

If the first penalty was harsh, the second was even worse.

A great jab tackle from Fogden resulted in a clash of sticks after the ball had been won. The umpire harshly judged this to be a stick tackle and awarded the penalty, which was converted by Tejinder Hanspal.

Hawks face a tough game next Saturday against table-toppers Havant.

Other scores: Hawks 2nd 6, Eastcote 2nd 1; Rover 3rd 2, Hawks 3A 0; Hawks Falcons 3, Winchester Vets 1.