Todd Hutcheson struck a hat-trick on his debut, but in vain as Oxford Hawks lost an astonishing Premier Division 1 game 6-5 to table-topping Gore Court.
Hawks were playing catch-up for most of the match at Banbury Road North, two drag flicks by the league’s top scorer, Aaron Glass, leaving them 3-0 down early on.
Hutcheson scored at the far post and repeated the goal with another tap-in . . . right place, right time.
Back in the game, Hawks conceded again before Charlie Bennett reacted well to a deflection in the D to make it 4-3 at half-time.
Hutcheson completed his hat-trick by pulling them level, but goals kept going in at the other end.
Steve Collier’s reverse stick shot brought Hawks level again, but for the second week running they fell to a last-minute winner, a shot deflected into his own net by the unlucky Dan Money.
Banbury were involved in a rarity in hockey these days, a 0-0 draw at Staines in Premier Division 1 – so rare that it’s Banbury’s first 0-0 this millennium.
In the same division, Richard Bond scored all four goals as Oxford University beat Ashford (Middlesex) 4-0.
Dan Pilbeam struck the winner in Rover Oxford’s 1-0 victory at home to Sonning in Regional 1.
Wallingford lost 2-0 at home to Slough, for whom Mansoor Ahmed hit a brace.
Oxford Hawks 2nd stay rooted to the bottom but put up a good showing as they went down 3-2 at Maidenhead.
After an early goal by Alex Williams, Bracknell quickly pinned Rover Oxford 2nd in their own half for large spells as they went on to win 6-3 in Regional 2.
A goalmouth melee led to a penalty flick being conceded and Rich Oakes being stret-chered off the pitch.
Two fine late individual goals by Chris Orme failed to halt the Bracknell advance.
Defender Alex Cock went up front after an injury and scored in City of Oxford’s 3-1 win at Henley 2nd in Division 1. Nick Perks and Matt Brooke got further City goals after Henley equalised.
In Division 2, Witney chalked up their first win in style with a 6-1 victory at Abingdon.
Chris Spencer doubled his lifetime tally with a brace, and Witney’s other goals came from Richard Demczak (2), Tim Hardy and Ben Wells.
Banbury 2nd 2 (N Best 2), Gerrards Cross 3; City 2nd 6 (A Small 3, R Harding, J Burke, G Guest), L Buzzard 2nd 2; Witney 2nd 5 (T Yallop 2, N Vigar 2, B Gosnall), Slough 3rd 1; Bicester 2, Hawks 3rd 4 (T Ward, M Lumb, A Morrison, J Black); Witney 3rd 2 (B Baker, F Bernard), Aylesbury 4th 0; Hawks Fledglings 3 (J Biggs, J Rogers, P Bennett), Maidenhead 3rd 0; S Bucks 3rd 1, City 3rd 2 (A Gibbs, T Pinnington); Witney 4th 2 (O Collins, L Frost), Wallingford 5th 1; City 4th 2 (F Guest, D Cowley), Witney 5th 1 (M Jarvis); Hawks Senators 4, Trojans Vets 2; Southampton Vets 1, City Bulls 2 ( S Curnock, M Hunter); Hawks Falcons 2 (I Sobey, S Griffiths), Haslemere 2; Sonning 3rd 7, Banbury 3rd 0; Banbury 4th 12 (J Sturla 3, A Jeffrey 3, S Armstrong 2, A Lamb 2, C Briant 2), Rover Oxford 4th 2.
EH 2nd XI Trophy: Banbury 9 (S Board-man 4, C Irvine 2, S Trivett, R Foreman, W Powell), Berkswell & Balsall Common 1.
Mercian Under16 League: Oxford Hawks 2, City Rover 1.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here