SWINDON extended their unbeaten run in the Verde Recreo Hockey League Championship to a fifth game with a comfortable 3-0 win at home to West Wilts on Saturday.

The first half was a tight affair as both teams created opportunities but failed to convert, with Swindon’s Jim Towers clearing a shot off the line in the opening exchanges.

With a couple of minutes to go in the first half, Towers was to the fore again as he released Thomas Lentschner, who combined with Tom Wickens to earn a short corner.

From the set-piece, the ball found its way to Henry Cheney to give his side the lead at the break.

Although play continued in an even manner in the second half, West Wilts never really threatened the Swindon goal, and when they did, they found Alan Gough in sparkling form.

The crucial next goal went Swindon’s way as a ball fired into the circle and Phil Scarisbrick pounced amid the confusion to score.

With a few minutes left in the game, another Swindon short corner found its way to Cheney, who scored his second and the hosts’ third to seal the win.

Swindon A earned their first point of the Central Two season with a 1-1 draw at Minehead.

Tom Silvester struck for the visitors in the second half after Minehead held a narrow lead at the break.

Swindon B made it six wins from six at the top of the East Central Two table, although faced their toughest test so far in a 3-2 defeat of Shepton Mallet B.

Ian Hazell, Ally Barron and Dan Bruce got the home side’s goals.

  • SWINDON Ladies slipped to a 2-1 defeat at home to Cheltenham 2nd when they returned to action in Premier Division 2A after two fixtureless weekends.

The contest started very evenly with both teams attacking, but with no goals were forthcoming.

Cheltenham eventually got their noses in front before the interval, but Swindon started the second half well although were still unable to find the back of the net.

With Swindon attacking hard in an effort to force an equaliser, gaps were left in defence and Cheltenham exploited those to double their advantage.

The home side did not give up and were finally rewarded with a goal via a short corner as Chloe Lewis’ delivery was finished off by Vic Stokes.

Swindon pushed hard to level the scores in the closing stages, but the Cheltenham defence held firm and time ran out on the hosts.

Swindon Ladies’ 2nd suffered a 3-0 defeat at Corsham in their latest Wessex Division One contest.