RICH Barlow claimed the winner as Oxford Hawks survived a late Staines rally to secure a 3-2 home victory in their South League Premier Division 1 opener.

The hosts took the lead after ten minutes when Ethan Chapman found Steve Kelly for a simple push-in.

Ten minutes before the break, Staines equalised when a free hit outside the D was smashed in for a deflection high into the net.

Hawks regained the lead after Steve Kelly hit a backhand past a stranded keeper, before new boy Barlow made it 3-1.

It looked like plain sailing until Hawks conceded a second with five minutes to set up a nervous finish.

A strong second-half display sent Oxford storming to a 5-1 at home to Eastcote in their Regional 1 opener.

Skipper Matt McKeown put Oxford ahead, but Eastcote, who finished second last season, equalised before half-time.

McKeown restored Oxford’s lead following a tweak in their formation and by keeping up the pressure they scored further goals from Dan Bleach (2) and Dan Pilbeam. Sam Fisher, Callum McKenzie and Ben Dudgeon created the chances.

A goal in each half gave Wallingford a 2-0 victory in their derby clash away to a depleted Witney.

Brett Horlock’s close-range goal gave Wallingford the lead at half-time.

Three penalty corners in succession for the home team gave them the upper hand, although they were unable to convert any of them.

Wallingford doubled their league through a Steve Marks penalty corner and were able close out the game with the help of keeper Adam Mills, who made several smart saves.

Wallingford 2nd skipper Matt Clamp was sent off in their 2-1 win over Eastcote 3rd.

OTHER RESULTS

Oxford Hawks 2nd 0, West Hampstead 11; Oxford Hawks 3rd 5, Bicester 0; Oxford Hawks 4th 15, Henley 3rd 0; Oxford Hawks 5th 3, Oxford 7th 2 (og, J Burke; Oxford Hawks 6th 10, Witney 4th 3 (J Taylor 2, H Swift); Oxford Hawks Senators 4, Maidenhead Vets 3; Oxford Hawks Falcons 0, Sevenoaks Vets 5; Oxford 2nd 4 (A Wynd 3, J Tasker), Eastcote 2nd 2; Oxford 3rd 6 (C Blakey 2, O Dale 2, A Small 2), British Airways 1; Oxford 4th 3 (S Pritchard, B Matthews, B Hudson), West London 0; Oxford 6th 7 (P Charrett 3, T Christophers 2, J Taylor, J Green), Wycombe 4th 1; Oxford Hamsters 1 (A Gupta), West Hampstead 8th 2; Oxford 8th 4 (S Thompson 4), Newbury & Thatcham 4th 3.; Wallingford 2nd 2 (R Wheeler, W Churchill), Eastcote 3rd 1; Wallingford 3rd 3 (Latham 3), Leighton Buzzard 1; Maidenhead Magicians 4, Wallingford 4th 1; Bicester 2nd 2, Witney 3rd 1 (R Moore); Bicester 3rd 2 (N Styles, og), Wycombe 5th 1; Gerrards Cross 2nd 4, Witney 2nd 3 (T Yallop 2, M Godwin).