Oxford Hawks got the second half of the Premier 2 season off to a flier with a 4-3 win at top-of-the-table Barnes.

With the introduction of new signing Jono Holt in the forward line, Hawks were keen to create free-flowing hockey resulting in goals.

They dominated the first half and played in the way that coach Ian Cordwell knew they could.

With the new-look pairing at centre back and sweeper of Richard Fogden and Nick Lamb, Hawks were looking solid throughout.

The visitors took the lead through Steve Collier, a well worked goal resulting in a reverse stick finish.

Soon after Hawks went two up, good build-up play from the midfield leading to Collier firing in.

Nick Ferraby then scored a good individual goal to make it a deserved 3-0 at half time.

The second half started badly, with skipper Tim Martin being sinbinned for a clumsy tackle.

While off, Hawks conceded a dubious penalty stroke which was fired into the roof of the net.

Hawks broke with 15 minutes to go and Sam Chilvers, after rounding the keeper, scored what turned out to be the decisive goal.

Three other yellow cards were dished out to Lamb, Ferraby and Robinson.

Hawks conceded two more goals, but they hung on for three points that might just kick-start their season.

Banbury pick up a good point by the seaside with a 1-1 draw at Brighton & Hove in Premier 1.

Banbury started strongly but their attacking work was all undone when a ball was threaded through the centre which resulted in a penalty corner, and the corner was converted via a lucky deflection inside the near post.

Banbury levelled halfway through the second half with a well worked move down the right that enabled Adrian Simons to convert with a piercing strike.

After that both sides had chances but neither side could fashion a winner.

Oxford University slipped to a 3-2 defeat at home to Chichester, with Adam Jordan and Thomas Lockton getting the goals.

Rover Oxford stay sixth in Regional 1 after a 2-2 draw against Staines 2nd. Chris Way and Andy Wynd scored.

Matt Armitage and Rich Pool got Wallingford’s goals in their 6-2 defeat at second-placed Maidenhead.

In Regional 2, Rover Oxford 2nd lost 3-2 at Ashford 2nd.

One down at half-time, Greg Horne equalised but Ashford quickly regained the lead.

Matt Neilson brought Rover level again with a fine finish but sloppy defending gave Ashford their first points of the season.

City of Oxford dropped two points when held 3-3 at South Bucks. Andy Small scored two and Richard Harding one. All South Bucks goals came from short corners.

Witney beat second-placed Amersham & Chalfont 2nd 2-1 to consolidate their place at the top of Division 2.

Victory came from goals by Richard Demczak and Julian Easterbrook – with a fine solo effort – and earned revenge against the only team to have beaten Witney this season.

Abingdon beat second-bot-tom Bicester 4-2 in Division 2.