LANGRIDGE HITS STAINES FOR SIX

Winchester will be top dogs in South Hockey League Premier Division 2 if they beat Oxford University in Saturday’s summit meeting at Kings’ (2pm).
They currently trail the Dark Blues by two points with one match in hand – and go into the showdown on the back of a Kent Langridge inspired 6-1 win at Staines, writes Mike Vimpany.
Langridge notched a hat-trick for a weakened Winchester side, minus four regulars, which scored three times in each half to run out comfortable winners.
Winchester were untidy at first but with Will Phillips controlling the midfield they soon took the lead with the influential Harry Talks creating the opening for Langridge’s first goal.
Talks himself got the second and by half-time Winchester were firmly in the driving seat, with Langridge cleverly chipping the Staines goalkeeper to make it 3-0.
Early in the second half Langridge completed his hat-trick to effectively settle the contest.
Adam Cope pulled a goal back for Staines from a short corner, but Winchester finished strongly with Mark Maunsell finishing a move created by the forward thinking Kevin Boniface.
Top scorer Ben Hibberd eventually made his mark, scoring his 15th of the season as Winchester completed their six-goal salvo.
Winchester II’s Regional Division 2 match with London Edwardians was among several local games called off due to icy pitch surfaces.