A SMART hat-trick from Matt McKeown helped Oxford beat visitors Henley 3-2 to retain their unbeaten record in South League Regional 1 on Saturday.

Oxford, who were pushed all the way by their nearest rivals, opened the scoring when McKeown netted fron a penalty corner The Oxford skipper made it 2-0 at half-time after firing home a rebound.

Oxford continued to dominate and with McKeown unable to convert another drag flick soon after, he was able to collect the rebound and drill home for a 2-0 lead.

Henley fought back in the second half and levelled matters as decisions appear to go against the hosts.

Oxford have been impressive at snatching important late points this season and this game was no exception.

Just as they were about to return to 11 players, after Ben Richards’s spell in the sinbin, McKeown once more powered home from a short corner to steal the points and stretch his side’s lead at the top to seven points.

In Regional 2, Oxford 2nd triumphed 2-1 at Newbury & Thatcham.

The home side led 1-0 at half-time, but Oxford, with Rory Butwell to the fore, hit back to score twice at short corners via Andy Wynd and Chris Way.

A Tim Hardy strike proved little consolation as basement boys Witney went down to a 5-1 defeat at the hands of high-fliers Wycombe.

Oxford Hawks had to settle for a 2-2 draw in their Premier Division 1 match at home to London Wayfarers.

Jack Biggs and Charlie Ellison scored the goals for the hosts who stay in mid-table.

In Premier Division 2, Oxford Hawks 2nd went down 4-2 away to Old Cranleighans, despite goals from Tom Lawson and James Ward.

Dave Sutcliffe went on the rampage with four goals as Bicester romped home 7-3 away to South Bucks in Middlesex Berks, Bucks & Oxon Division 1.

CJ Birtles added a brace for the visitors, whose scoring was completed by Jonny Reid.

OTHER SCORERS.

Oxford Hawks 3rd 3 (S Dawson 3) British Airways 1; Oxford Hawks 4th 1 (E Bennett), West Hampstead 5th 5; Oxford Hawks 6th 10, Bracknell Terriers 0; Oxford Hawks Senators 9, Richmond Veterans 1; Oxford Hawks Falcons 2 (A Bishop, J Black), Epsom Vagabonds 5; Oxford 3rd 4 (R Beer, C Blakey, G Tasker, J Corran), OMT 2nd 2; Oxford 4th 7 (B Hudson 2, H Tasker 2, S Hudson, B Matthews, og), Eastcote 4th 1; Oxford 5th 2 (W Jenkinson, J Cowan D’Arcy), Tring 7; Oxford 6th 6 (J Taylor 2, R Bennett, D Kingsland, J Williams, og), Eastcote 6th 3; Oxford Hamsters 1 (T Howard), Aylesbury 4th 3; Oxford 8th 0, Marlow 5th 4; Oxford 9th 7 (P Troop 3, H Ahmed 2, JM Darnell, K Ahmed), Sonning 7th 0; Oxford Bulls 2 (G Curran 2), Guildford Vets 1; Witney 2nd 2 (B Austin, J Dobinson), Marlow 9; Leighton Buzzard 2nd 1, Witney 3rd 0; Bicester 2nd 1 (L Allen) West Hampstead 6th 7; Bicester 3rd 4 (N Styles 4), Bracknell 3rd 1; Henley 4th 1, Bicester Development 1 (J Winspear).