Brighton and Hove maintained their winning start to the Men's Hockey League Conference East season with a narrow victory at Southgate on Sunday to keep pace with Oxted at the top of the table after two games.

A last-minute penalty stroke from Robbert Schenk was enough to give BHHC the points in a tight affair. With maximum points from two tough away matches to start the campaign, Brighton will look forward to their first home fixture next Sunday (October 14) against Cambridge City at Blatchington Mill School (1pm).

Cambridge will come to the south coast in good form after an amazing 10-5 victory over Richmond, Brennan Alexander-Parker scoring four goals in 13 minutes, all from open play, for them either side of half-time. Elsewhere in the conference Oxted won 3-2 at home against Canterbury, Teddington and Old Georgians shared six goals and newly promoted City of Peterborough secured their first victory, winning 4-2 at Old Loughtonians.

Amongst the lower XIs Brighton came out on top in all but one of four matches against old rivals Lewes on Saturday. While the 2s fell 2-0 to Lewes 1s, there were wins for the 3s (who won 1-0 against Lewes 2s), 5s and 6s over their Lewes opponents.

Away to Lewes 4s, Brighton 5s triumphed 5-3. "Come rain or shine, we were there and victorious," says skipper Ramzy Omran. "MOM Bunny a splendid brace, DOD was very harsh on Jonno."

After a close fought first-half the men’s 6s played some excellent passing hockey to see off Lewes 5s 3-1 reports Pete Stevens. "The team was a mixture of youth and experience and with 16 players it was a case of rolling the subs. First half was fairly matched with honours even. Following an inspirational half time talk the 6s played some excellent passing hockey culminating in Jacob scoring two followed by one from Ali. Lewes continued to press and scored a late consolation. MoM split between goalscorer Jacob and Hamish for marking the evergreen Mike Fuller out of the game. Fortunately we missed the appalling weather."

The men's 4s were disappointed not to have held on for victory against Crowborough 1s after overcoming the concession of the first goal in a 2-2 draw.
"What an appalling day to try and play hockey," reports captain Carlo, "brightened up with pockets of great play, transition and movement around the park. We went one down from a deflected short corner goal against the run of play having had several great chances, William Ireland scored our reply and first goal after a great passage of team play, final ball from Harvey Vans Agnew with a simple far post tap in for William.

"Should have brought shampoo and conditioner for the half time talk as the weather progressively got worse. 2-1 up after 10 minutes of the second half - an amazing 40-yard ball from Dave Delea down the right found Davros who took on the defence and unleashed a great reverse stick shot. We had several chances in the first and second half that we should have put away and it finally cost us when they equalised. Both teams had further chances to win it but it did feel like losing two points rather than gaining a point.

The weather really took its toll but a great effort from the lads. Tough game away against Eastbourne 2s next week."

The men's 7s enjoyed an encouraging and successful visit to Eastbourne 5s, romping to a 6-1 victory thanks to goals from Atul Patel (2), Chris Lake, Dickie Barnes, Sam Townsend and Matt Brown.

Skipper Dickie Barnes said that "a few regular players missing meant some opportunities for players from the 8s (who had no game), there were plenty of mazy runs and energy from Sam Townsend and Shaun Pimley and a couple of players switching positions.

"Atul 'Terry' Patel up front was a lively presence in front of goal, scoring twice, while George Berman at the top of the diamond saw plenty of ball and linked up well with the impressive Matt Brown and the forwards. An early goal from Atul followed by an emphatic strike from Chris Lake left us 2-0 up at half time.

"Let’s face it, 2-0 can at times be a dangerous lead and so at the start of the second half we pushed hard and worked another three nice goals early on, finishing off comfortable 6-1 winners.

"Division 4 is shaping up for a very competitive season with a number of decent teams. This strong performance with a few players missing will give both the Mens 7s and 8s confidence to compete against the top teams."