A WINNING streak has been maintained by Tunbridge Wells Men’s 1st XI as they overcame mid-table Gore Court last weekend.
Their key away victory ensures they remain in a strong position in second place in the league at the Christmas break.
It was clear early on that the game would live up to its likely high-score billing. Wells were playing the better hockey, while their hosts boasted one extremely talented player who threatened to take control of the game.
Goals came at both ends – Wells scoring with well-worked nettings from open play and penalty corners through Ben Allberry, Callum Wood and James Beck, but matched by similar moves from the home side.
At half time it was 3-3, and the visitors shuffled their line-up to reduce the influence of the Gore Court playmaker.
The change worked, as Wells played some of their most impressive hockey of the season in the second period – totally bossing midfield and limiting Gore Court to one lucky goal as David Hemsley inadvertently turned a cross past his own goalkeeper (for the second time in the game).
At the other end, four further goals came from excellent and incisive attacking work from the whole team. Allberry grabbed two more, Wood one and Jack Garwood got in on the act to ensure Wells ran out comfortable 7-4 winners.
While Wells struck seven goals, they will be mindful that they squandered a number of penalty corner chances which could have seen them record a double-figure score.
Elsewhere, Eastbourne delivered an early Christmas present for Wells as they defeated league leaders Maidstone, meaning Tunbridge Wells are now just one point off top spot. Where they will ultimately finish now lies firmly back in their own hands.
There will be a feeling of a job relatively well done in the first half of the season, but with room for improvement and work to do over the Christmas break before they return for what should be an exciting second half.
