ACOMB Hockey Club men's 1 stayed in second place in Yorkshire League division three after they swept past Ben Rhydding 4 5-1 in Wharfedale.

The Tangerines had put ten past their opponents in the reserve fixture but they had to be patient - waiting 15 minutes to open the scoring following a strong start.

The first goal came when a penalty corner routine was swept in by Matt Dickenson and the lead was quickly doubled when he converted a penalty stroke after Pete Hilton was upended by the Ben Rhydding keeper.

The home side briefly fought back when their right winger slotted in from close range against the run of play.

But, with 5 minutes remaining in the first half, Acomb’s two goal advantage was restored when Nick Linfoot passed to Jamie Robinson to convert into an unguarded goal.

In the second half, Acomb enjoyed huge amounts of possession although they were grateful for goalkeeper Craig Brown, who saved well from a reverse stick strike to maintain their advantage.

The lead was extended further when Linfoot and Robinson linked up again for the fourth and Robinson secured his hat-trick after good work from Owen Wilkie in the final throes of the game.

The floodgates opened in the second half as Acomb 2 put six past Halifax 4 at Energise in division five north.

They had the majority of possession early on and Rob Ireland opened the scoring.

The visitors levelled with ten minutes left in the first half but the lead was restored almost immediately from a Jonny Brown penalty corner strike.

Chances went begging after the break and keeper Martin Grange was at hand to preserve the lead but eventually Acomb's dominance told and both Ireland, the Tangerines' man of the match, and skipper Brown scored hat-tricks in the 6-1 win.

Acomb Ladies 2 had to settle for a 2-2 draw from their trip to Slazengers 2 in division two.

In a close encounter, they opened the scoring midway through the first half when Hannah Yoward was on hand to sweep home.

It was a half littered with injuries and, when Acomb lost midfielder Georgi Wood, the home side took full advantage with two strikes before Yoward laid the ball on to skipper Kerry Woods to neatly convert the equaliser.

Acomb defended strongly with keeper Stephanie Barker continuing her fine form behind a rearguard action from Sam Storr, Sally Fairweather and Jane Elsworth. Vicky Wrigley was always a thorn in the home defence and, despite each side having a good chance in the closing minutes, it ended in stalemate.