HOCKEY: RUGBY and East Warwickshire Hockey Club Men’s first team suffered a narrow home defeat to Khalsa.
Khalsa welcomed back Sean Robinson into defence – and his influence shone from the outset as Khalsa started the brighter of the two teams and dominated possession.
This dominance lead to an early short corner, which was comfortably converted by Alex Idoine.
Despite Khalsa’s continued dominance in the game, Rugby responded with a goal against the run of play from their first short corner to equalise through Szymon Oszyjczyk .
Idoine added his second strike of the day – again from a short corner – to hand Khalsa the lead once more.
Despite some late pressure from Rugby, the game remained at 2-1, leaving the two teams level on points in the Midlands Premier League.
2nd XI
Rugby’s 2nd XI experienced better fortunes than their first team colleagues, winning 5-2 away from home to Khalsa 2s.
The win moved Rugby to the top of the table, leaving skipper Lee Marriott proud of his side’s effort.
A sluggsh start for the visiting side led to an early Khalsa goal.
But, crucially, heads did not drop, and Rugby were soon level when Alex Salter crossed for Adam Hewitt to score from close range.
Rugby then stamped their authority on the game with a second goal from a short corner before a third goal provided Rugby with a handy lead at the break.
A fourth goal was added 30 seconds in the half when Salter converted.
But a determined Khalsa failed to let the game fall away from them as a short corner was converted, making the score 4-2.
Hopes of a late comeback were quashed when Jacob Till scored a well-worked individual goal to win Rugby the game.
Elsewhere the Ladies team defeated Worcester 4-2.
