Petersfield 5 Southampton University 0: PETERSFIELD Hockey Club’s men’s first team moved a step closer to safety in Hampshire Division 1 after earning a comprehensive victory at home to Southampton University on Saturday afternoon.

Both teams knew the importance of the three points before the match and Petersfield started the game strongly, passing with purpose and meaning.

Southampton University had some good individual passages of play, but these were cut out by the defensive partnership of W Atkinson and Grinstead.

The pace of the Field attack was too much for the visitors and Harris scored Petersfield’s first goal.

The home side then had a number of chances to double their advantage, with Harris, J Atkinson and Hughes-Stanton all going close, but the Southampton University goalkeeper was resolute and denied Petersfield.

The home side used the width of the pitch well, and Alder and Marlow both went on driving runs. Petersfield were rewarded for their dominance with two more goals before half time to lead 3-0 at the break.

Southampton University started the second half well and W Atkinson was given a green card.

Petersfield managed to regain control of the game with Edney and Terry running the show in midfield.

The home side added two more goals in the second half to run out 5-0 winners, with Harris helping himself to a hat-trick. Terry and O Atkinson scored the other goals.