Petersfield II 7 Fareham VI 1: PETERSFIELD Hockey Club’s men’s second team returned to winning ways with a comprehensive 7-1 victory against Fareham’s sixth team on Saturday afternoon.

Constant rain and wind throughout the match made life difficult for both teams, but it was all Petersfield in the first five minutes, with Cains going close and then poking a shot in a minute later to give the home side the lead.

After 16 minutes Petersfield were awarded a short corner, which King slotted home to double Petersfield’s advantage.

The home side kept up the pressure on the Fareham goal, with only a fine save from the visiting keeper preventing Cains from adding his second.

Finally, after 26 minutes, a determined drive from Francis down the left resulted in another Petersfield short corner, which King tucked low into the goal to make it 3-0 to the home side.

Eight minutes later the constant Petersfield onslaught provided Street with the home side’s fourth goal as he followed up his own shot with an easy tap in to give Petersfield a 4-0 lead at half time.

The home side started the second half in the same mood as the first and Tom Cooke-Priest was rewarded after just three-and-a-half minutes with a tap-in from close range to make it 5-0.

Fareham nevertheless stuck doggedly to their task and a good drive into the Petersfield D was rewarded with a converted penalty to make it 5-1.

The goal spurred Fareham on and only a fine save from Broadmeadow prevented the away side from getting another goal back.

Petersfield soaked up the pressure from the rejuvenated Fareham side, before re-establishing control of the midfield.

Some good work on the left from Rory Plewes gave Cains another opportunity, before Street added his second to make it 6-1.

Petersfield were now back on top, and King weaved his way neatly through the Fareham defence to complete his hat-trick and he scored Petersfield’s seventh goal.

A last-minute shot by Rory Plewes was saved by the busy Fareham keeper and the final whistle was blown to give Petersfield a well-deserved 7-1 home win, and a chance for everyone to dry out.