Substitute Dan Smyth hit a four-timer as Rover Oxford returned to winning ways with a thumping 5-2 victory at bottom side City of Portsmouth in South League Premier Division 2.

Smyth opened the scoring midway through the first half after good work by James Nielsen.

He quickly added a second after smart thinking by captain Dave Hewstone.

Nielsen pounced on a scrambled clearance in the opposition D for No 3.

Smyth completed his hat-trick to put Rover 4-0 up, before Portsmouth pulled two goals back.

However, Smyth had the last word with his fourth.

Dave Clark and Simon Boardman grabbed a brace apiece as Banbury swept to a 5-1 win at BBHC to march on at the top.

Banbury opened the scoring when Dave Clark slammed home a shot from the top of the D after good work down the right between Adrian Simons and England Under 18 trialist Tim Craven.

In the second half, Banbury captain Matthew Bull flicked the ball in off a post.

Simon Boardman then deflected home a pin-point pass from Simons for No 3.

Argentine international Andrea Labourt pulled a goal back for BBHC, but Clark and Boardman struck again to clinch victory for Banbury.

In Premier Division 1, Oxford Hawks won 3-2 at Ashford.

Goals from Paul Hayes, Nick Lamb and Ed Baldock gave Hawks the points.

Abingdon inflicted a first defeat of the season on Middlesex, Berkshire, Bucks & Oxon Division 1 leaders Tring with a 2-1 victory at Tilsley Park.

Abingdon opened the scoring after 15 minutes from their first penalty corner, Marco Cecchini netting a rebound, but Tom Cave soon equalised for Tring.

Abingdon's winner came in the second half when captain Chris Way found the bottom corner with a well-placed penalty corner strike.

New player-coach Alex Pizz scored on his debut for City of Oxford in a 5-2 win at OMT. Andy Bell (2), Jon Butt and Andy McNamee completed City's tally.

In the Open Regional, City of Oxford 2nd defeated Slough 2nd 3-1. Ed Broyd 16-year-old Jack Burke and Steve Bell netted for City.

LEAGUE SCORES Open Regional: Banbury 2nd 2 (A Clark, J Nunneley), Milton Keynes 2nd 7.

Open Div 2: Wallingford 2nd 4, Banbury 3rd 0.

Open Div 4: Oxford Hawks 4th 5 (H Lamb 2, D Cooke 2, P Dunleavy), Staines 4th 2.

Open Div 6: Tring 3rd 3, Oxford Hawks Fledglings 6.

Other scores: Amersham & Chalfont 1, City of Oxford 3rd 1 (C Robinson); Oxford Hawks 3rd 1, Aylesbury 7.

WESSEX MASTERS LEAGUE Div 3: City of Oxford Bulls 5 (P Scragg 2, A White 2, A Bowen), Bournemouth Vets 2nd 2.

WESSEX ALLIANCE LEAGUE Oxford Hawks Falcons 3 (G Roper, R Meadows, P Roche), Amersham & Chalfont Vets 3.

Oxon Boys Development League: City of Oxford 7 (C Sanderson 4, J Weaver, G Dixon, M Clark-Warry), Banbury 1.

Oxon Under 14 Boys League: Rover 14, Witney Warriors 1.

Oxon Under 16 Boys League: Banbury 1 (H Thornton), Oxford Hawks 5.