Goal ace Rob fires Newbury to victory

ROB Haimes struck twice as Newbury & Thatcham won 2-1 at Tulse Hill & Dulwich 3rd in the England Hockey Championship Tier 3.

Haimes’ double, which came thanks to assists from Micah Cooke and Zach Pool, earned Newbury a hard-fought win.

But they also had reason to be grateful to keeper Pete Davis, who pulled off several fine saves to dny the home side.

Cameron Dunlop also helped himself to two goals as Newbury 2nd stayed in the running for promotion from South Central Division 2 North.

Dunlop’s double earned Newbury a 2-0 victory over Amersham & Chalfont 2nd.

The 3rd XI conceded their England Hockey Championship Men’s Tier 4 clash at London Edwardians 4th.

But Newbury 4th produce another excellent display to stay third in South Central Division 1 Thames and keep the pressure on promotion rivals Marlow 5th and Wycombe 3rd.

They outgunned Henley 4th 5-0 thanks to goals from Neil McCullen (2), Chris Obin, Christian Somerville and Liam Kilsby-Steele, while player of the match was Lewis Gallagher.

A depleted Newbury 5th put up a battling display, but went down 4-1 to Division 2 Thames high-fliers Slough Swifts.

Man of the match, goalkeeper Vinnie Butler, pulled off a string of fine saves, but couldn’t prevent Swifts taking a 2-0 lead.

Josh Whorton was forced off after being struck on the head and Slough went 3-0 up before Steve Hamilton-Shaw pulled one back direct from a penalty corner.

But Slough struck again to seal the points.

In the same division, Newbury 6th beat Sonning 5th 4-1.

Andy Barton-Wood fired them ahead, then Justin Smit turned in a Dave Short drag flick.

After the break Sonning hit back, but were denied by man-of-the-match, keeper Tom McCarthy.

Steve Keats calmly slotted in his first goal of the season to make it 3-0 and Brad Arlington hit his 11th of the campaign before Sonning grabbed a late consolation.

Newbury & Thatcham Masters were awarded a 5-0 win as Winchester Wizards couldn’t raise a team.