Abingdon captain Josh Tomlinson grabbed a superb hat-trick during his side's 5-3 Division 1 victory over Old Merchant Taylors at Tilsley Park.

Abingdon took the lead after ten minutes when Will Trigg's penalty-corner strike was blocked by the OMT goalkeeper, and Mat Way was on hand to force home the rebound.

But OMT were soon on level terms again, Richard Booth firing home from his side's first penalty corner of the match.

Two goals in quick succession from Tomlinson gave Abingdon a commanding 3-1 half-time lead.

Tim Pattison pulled one back for OMT at a penalty corner.

Tomlinson then claimed his hat-trick as he restored Abingdon's two-goal lead, rounding the keeper and slotting the ball past the covering defenders.

Pattison made it 4-3 with his second goal of the afternoon, before Fungai Whata giving the OMT goalkeeper no chance from three yards out.

Wallingford’s 2-1 win at Sunbury keeps them in the title hunt, though they have slipped to second after Newbury & Thatcham boosted their goal difference by thumping a weakened City of Oxford 8-1.

It was goalless after 20 minutes but Newbury & Thatcham then scored three short-corner goals before half-time.

Chris Brougham got City of Oxford’s consolation on a dismal afternoon.

Witney slumped into the bottom three with just two games remaining, after losing 5-2 at home to Bracknell.

They are just behind another Oxfordshire side, Bicester, who leapfrogged them courtesy of a 5-2 victory at home to bottom club Leighton Buzzard.