South League Premier Division 2 leaders Oxford Hawks returned to winning ways after a defeat at Eastbourne and draw at Richmond.

They beat PHC Chiswick 3-1 at Cokethorpe School.

With second-placed Eastbourne and third-placed Richmond drawing, Hawks moved four points clear at the top.

Ted Bennett put the ball in the goal, only to have it disallowed by the umpire after he spotted the ball hitting a Hawks foot in the build-up.

Three minutes into the second half, Dave Cresswell broke the deadlock to put Hawks ahead with a backhand shot.

The goal brought Chiswick out of defence, giving Hawks more space and opportunities.

Several chances went begging before Sam Chilvers added a second, and Cresswell notched his second goal with a reverse flick from close range.

Chiswick bagged a consolation goal from a short corner.

Banbury were left to rue missed chances and a poor short corner routine as they lost 3-2 at Chichester in Premier Division 1.

Simon West, Charlie Murphy and Richard Foreman combined to set up Adrian Simmons to blast the ball into the bottom corner of the goal.

Chichester equalised, after both umpires missed a blatant kick to win the ball.

Banbury then lost focus to give away two soft goals.

Will Alderton hit a double in Oxford University’s 3-3 draw with Old Georgians. Alex Evans got the other goal.

Wallingford moved further clear of danger in the Regional division with a 4-2 victory over Maidenhead.

Horatio Cary deflected the ball over the goalkeeper, and Alun Lloyd converted a penalty stroke shortly afterwards to double the lead.

A Maidenhead goal was cancelled out by Lloyd converting a short corner just before half-time. And although the visitors pulled another one back, Cary sealed it with his second.

Rover Oxford lost 3-2 at Sonning despite starting the more lively of the teams, and taking the lead through Dan Smyth, on his return to the team.

Sonning hit back to lead, before Smyth slotted home a penalty stroke to make it 2-2.

The second half was very open, but the only goal went the way of the home side, who scored from a far-post deflection at a short corner.

City of Oxford moved clear of trouble with a 5-3 win over Tring in an end-to-end Regional 2 encounter.

Richard Harding scored with a fortunate reverse-stick effort and Martin James made it two.

Tring kept battling back, but goals from John Allcock, Harding again – with a penalty flick – and Andy Small, a fine solo effort, saw City home.

Witney returned to winning ways in Division 1 with a 4-0 victory at home to Gerrards Cross, thanks to Ben Wells (2), Tom Allinson and Tim Hardy.

Bicester suffered only their second defeat in Division 2, 2-0 at Sonning, and also lost midfielder Geoff Snell to a nasty facial injury.

OTHER SCORES Slough 2nd 4, Hawks 2nd 2 (R Craig, P Dun-leavy); Banbury 2nd 3 (G White, I Reynolds, N Best), Amersham 2nd 0; Wycombe 3rd 5, Hawks 3rd 3 (C Snelling 2, T Simpson); Gerrards X 2nd 1, City 2nd 3 (J Burke 2, D Willett); City 3rd 2, Meadhurst 1; Bicester 2nd 5 (M Surana 2, Bywater, D Humphreys, J Pilgram), Banbury 3rd 2; Banbury 4th 4, Thame 1; Tring 2nd 3, Witney 2nd 2 (T Yallop, N Dunnington); Witney 3rd 7 (P Hood 3, N Vigar 2, B Baker, S Duke), Amersham 3rd 1; Wallingford 3rd 2, Ramgarhia 2nd 0; OMT 4th 2, Wallingford 4th 1; Bicester 4th 1 (O Shorthouse), Wallingford 5th 2; Ramgarhia 4th 1, City 4th 1 (H Cochrane); Sonning 6th 2, Wit-ney 5th 3; City 5th 1 (M Brougham), Woking-ham 5th 1; Witney 4th 4 (R Dyer 2, S Summ-ers, J Bartrip), Slough 4th 0; Brunel Univ 5, Hawks Fledg 2 (S Smith, P Bennett); Hawks Falc 9 (S Griffiths 3, D Hughes 2, P Curtis 2, R Meadows, N Biggs), Winchester 1; City Bulls 3 (P Scragg 2, A Bowen), Guildford Vets 1.