Oxford Hawks were re-warded for a positive performance at Maidstone with three valuable South League points in a 2-1 victory.

This was among Hawks’ best performances of the season.

The players are starting again to believe in themselves and Hawks now have to avoid defeat at Ashford this Saturday to maintain their Premier Division 1 status.

Hawks made a conscious decision to take the game to the home side, playing three committed strikers and pushing up high in midfield.

The strategy worked well with Peter Forshaw, Freddie Coppin and Nick Ferraby creating problems for the home defence and Hawks winning the midfield battle.

The goalless first half was poor reward for Hawks’ creative play and with greater composure in front of goal they should have been ahead.

The second period swung from end to end.

Veteran Ali Mcshane put Hawks ahead when he converted a one-on-one with the keeper.

Maidstone swept back and notched an equaliser with a stunning near-post deflection from a left wing cross.

Hawks continued to press with Tom Coppin influential in most of their best play, but still couldn't find the back of the net.

With three minutes left, Hawks were awarded a penalty corner and Ferraby's low drag-flick was good enough to elude the keeper and secure Hawks the points.

Banbury have finally ended a league season as the top side in the county, above both Hawks and Oxford University.

Two home games at the weekend saw them pick up three valuable points to finish in fourth spot in their first season in Premier Division 1.

They lost 3-1 at home to Brighton on Saturday with Dan Smyth scoring the goal, after Tyson Nunnerley’s cross was deflected by Matt Bull.

The following day, a blistering start helped them to a 4-3 win over Tulse Hill.

A fine run and pass by Harry Loxton found leading scorer Adrian Simons, who netted after only 28 seconds.

Loxton himself bagged the second goal after a quick break by Nunneley and Will Kellett.

Tulse Hill pulled one back but in the second half a Bimon Boardman short corner deflection and another Loxton goal did the trick for Banbury.

Witney won 2-1 at Phoenix in Division 1, Andy Gosnell scoring the first and Andy Wille-mite securing the winwith a well-worked goal from a short corner.