ANDY Watts scored a hat-trick as Oxford Hawks leapt to the top of South League Premier Division 1 with a 5-2 victory at Winchester.

With leaders London Edwardians dropping points, Hawks went clear of the field for the first time in many years.

On a bumpy pitch, the visitors led 1-0 at half-time through through Jack Biggs, who converted a short corner.

Despite never really getting into top gear, Hawks took control thanks to a brace from Watts in the early stages of the second half.

A goal from Winchester briefly hinted at a comeback, but Watts completed his hat-trick to put the game beyond doubt.

Another goal from Winchester was matched by a fifth from Hawks when Matt Wood was credited with the score despite the finishing touch coming from a home defender.

Meanwhile, Oxford went two points clear in Regional 1, with a comeback 4-3 win away to Milton Keynes 2nd.

Oxford opened the scoring through Arron Leadbeater.

But they switched off and allowed the hosts to score three quick goals to lead, including a controversial score from aerial pass played into a crowded D.

Oxford remained calm and regained control, with Dan Bleach, a solo effort from Eamon Devaney and Charlie Lamb scoring in the last 20 minutes to secure a memorable victory.

There was no such anxiety for Witney, who cruised home 5-0 at home to West Hampstead 2nd in Regional 2.

From the moment Ben Moss scored in the second minute, the hosts were in charge, and Justin Peel added a second before the break.

Ryan Fitz-John made it 3-0 on the counter-attack in the second half, before Andy Gosnell slipped one inside the post from top D to make it 4-0.

Peel’s late second completed a comprehensive win.

OTHER MEN’S RESULTS

Oxford Hawks 2nd 2 (D Bradley, L Jowett), Amersham & Chalfont 4; Oxford Hawks 3rd 3 (M Couvreur 2, P Dunleavy), Sonning 4; Oxford Hawks 4th 1 (J Douglas), Maidenhead 2nd 3; Oxford Hawks 5th 2 (S White, L Green), Banbury 3rd 0; Oxford Hawks 6th 2 (F Honeywell, OJ Webb), Tring 2nd 2; Oxford Hawks 7th 4, South Berks 6th 2; Oxford Hawks Falcons 4 (S Griffiths 2, P Dunnill, R Warner), Winchester Wands 0; Oxford 2nd 1 (J Groeneveld), Tring 3; Oxford 3rd 1 (H Tasker), Henley 3rd 2; Oxford 4th 3 (H Eaton 2, G Cadman), West Hampstead 4th 3; Oxford 5th 0, OMT 3rd 6; Oxford 6th 3 (D Kingsland 2, V Benn,), BA Club 2nd 4; Oxford 7th 1 (A Gupta), Slough Swifts 7; Oxford 8th 2 (D Oakley, B Chaure), Sonning 5th 2; Oxford 9th 2 (H Rahim, A Khushi), Wallingford 5th 2; Amersham & Chalfont 2nd 4, Witney 2nd 1 (C Summers); Witney 3rd 2 (B Campion, N Anderson-Pearce), Thame 3rd 0.

Boys: Oxford Hawks U16 2, Guildford 7.