FOUR first half goals helped Rugby & East Warwickshire’s men’s first team put North Stafford to the sword in a 5-2 Midlands Division One win.
Luke Armstrong, Jan de Clerk, Adam Hewitt and Andy Walker netted to open a 4-0 lead before a Rugby player was sin-binned and the opponents netted twice in the second half.
But Alex Hammant helped assure victory with the final goal of the game.
REWHC’s men’s second XI were not so successful in their Division Two encounter with Olton 2nds, going down 2-0 to continue their unwanted stint at the foot of the table.
In East Midlands Premier, Boots 2nds came from behind to run out 3-2 winners over Rugby men’s third XI.
Joe Manning gave the hosts the dream start, before Boots rallied to lead 2-1 at half-time.
A third goal for the visitors put the game out of sight, rendering Chris Harding’s late drag-flick into the net a consolation.
Rugby men’s fourth team were rampant in their 6-0 South East Division One win over Leicester 3rds, with Richard Cooke and David Odwell firing doubles.
Nick Foster and Will Cooper-Harris also chalked their names on the scoreboard to close a one-sided affair.
A tier below in Division Two, Northampton Saints’ fourth team beat Rugby & East Warwickshire’s men’s 5ths 4-0 with two goals in each half despite a solid defensive display from the hosts.
The only other men’s side in action were the sixth XI, also playing in Division Two, who were 4-2 winners over Warwick University’s fourth team.
Two early goals gave Rugby a foundation to build on, although the students scored either side of half time to level the contest.
Undeterred, REWHC responded with two further goals to claim a deserved three points.
Rugby & East Warwickshire ladies’ 2nds assumed a four-goal lead early in their 5-2 win over Olton 3rds in Division One of the Warwickshire Women’s Hockey League.
Laura Kluth, Lilla Gane and two from Evie Scutt put Rugby in control of the game, before two goals from Olton prompted fears of a comeback, until a late Jess Naylor strike assured the points went to the hosts.
The ladies’ third team were edged 2-1 by Khalsa Leamington’s 4ths in Division Three after missing numerous early chances and going two goals down.
Rugby pulled a goal back, but a further strike did not follow to confirm defeat.
A fourth defeat of the season was suffered by Rugby ladies’ fourth string, losing by a solitary goal at home to Khalsa Leamington 5ths.
