FLEET & Ewshot IV 1, Haslemere V 5 (Hants 10). This match reflected great credit on both teams – each, as usual, a mix of experienced seniors and aspiring juniors.

Haslemere’s New Developers, the league leaders, succeeded through their consistently quick and accurate passing.

The skilful and unselfish seniors again encouraged their juniors to express themselves and their growing confidence was reflected in lively displays by Ben Hope, Josh Lott, Cameron Moore, James Scan, Harry Stokes (his best game of the season) and goalkeeper Ultan Wood.

Haslemere’s sustained early pressure was frustrated by the heroics of Fleet’s young keeper until Ben Rodber’s rasping shot gave the visitors a deserved lead.

Rodber himself and Julian Porter – making a welcome return to Haslemere hockey – infiltrated two neat goals from short corners and a diminutive Ollie Lott added a fourth with an unstoppable penalty flick.

A clever individual goal reduced the deficit, but Dominic Knight had the last word with a smart finish.