Exeter University won their first England Hockey Men’s Premier Division match in 13 months on Sunday.
Exeter thumped Durham University 9-0 away in the Bottom 5 to record their first victory of the season.
The match also saw Exeter goalkeeper Taylor Seager-Green record a first clean sheet in the Premier Division.
In the Top 6, Old Georgians maintained their eight-point lead at the top with a a 3-0 win over East Grinstead. James Carson, Tom Carson and Ashley Jackson were on target.
Surbiton’s indifferent form in this second half of the season continued after they were beaten 3-0 by Holcombe – goals from Jake Raben, Jake Owen and Nick Bandurak – leaving Wimbledon to take over in second place, courtesy of a 4-1 win away at Hampstead & Westminster.
Darcy Bourne’s second hat-trick in as many weeks helped Surbiton strengthen their grip on top spot in the Vitality Women’s Premier Division, with a 4-2 win at fellow title-chasers Hampstead & Westminster. Bourne now has 11 goals for the season.
Sophie Bray also scored a hat-trick in East Grinstead’s 6-0 win over Clifton Robinsons. Victory reversed their biggest Premier Division defeat by the same scoreline, to Surbiton, last weekend.
Wimbledon remain in touch, five points adrift of the leaders, after a comfortable 4-0 home success over Beeston.
Sarah Jones and Hollie Pearne-Webb put Wimbledon two to the good inside the opening five minutes and Jones put the icing on the cake after Fiona Burnet had also added her name to the scoresheet.
In the Bottom 5, Buckingham claimed a vital 3-2 win at Loughborough Students to give their survival hopes a shot in the arm.
Holcombe and University of Birmingham played out a 1-1 draw.
