The Men's South League's top scorer, Dave Cresswell, struck another hat-trick for Oxford Hawks as the Premier Division 2 leaders hit back from two down to draw 4-4 at Richmond.

With Richmond second in the table at start of play, this was potentially the game of the season, and that’s how it turned out.

Two unforced errors in their own half let Richmond in to score two easy goals, which stayed the score at half-time.

Then a well-worked short corner found Tom Coppin at the post to tap in.

Two minutes later, Richmond scored a third.

Hawks took the punch but never went down, and this never-say-die attitude won them three short corners.

With two of them, Cresswell launched the ball into the rigging, to make it 3-3.

Richmond went back in front from a penalty, but again Hawks responded, with a short corner by Cresswell.

Oxford University climbed above Banbury into seventh in Premier 1 after a 5-3 win at Purley Walcountians and then a 4-2 victory at Brighton & Hove on Sunday.

Alex Stobbart hit two against Purley, with Will Alderton, Omar Islam and Adam Jordan also netting.

Jordan (2), Alderton and Mullins scored at Brighton.

Banbury drew 1-1 with Purley.

For the first time in a while, a penalty corner routine worked well, and Andy Philpott found Robin Parker at the far post to score.

But in the second half, Banbury’s passing was poor and Purley snatched a scrappy far-post goal through Jaunty.

City of Oxford paid for having only two substitutes as they crashed 6-1 away to leaders Marlow in Regional 2.

A battling first-half display gave City a 1-0 interval lead courtesy of a goal from Darwie Tasker.

But two injuries meant City were unable to refresh in the second half, and they ran out of steam, conceding six goals.

Wallingford recorded an excellent 3-1 victory away to third-placed Wycombe 2nd in the Regional division.

Alun Lloyd hit a double, with Alfie Cary securing victory from a short corner.

Witney’s hopes of promotion from Division 1 were dented with a 4-0 defeat at title favourites South Bucks.