Two second half goals helped Beeston boost their hopes of a spot in the play-offs when they beat rivals Holcombe 2-0 in the Men’s Hockey League Premier Division on Sunday.

After a close first half ended goalless, Beeston burst into life with Gareth Griffiths scoring on 42 minutes, while Gareth Andrews secured a second field goal five minutes later to double their advantage.

It was another impressive defensive performance from Beeston, who have conceded the fewest goals in the division – just 17 in 11 league matches so far.

That result leaves Beeston second, still four points behind leaders Surbiton who beat hosts Sevenoaks 3-1 on Saturday with Conor Williamson and Luke Taylor scoring in the first half before David Bartram added a third with 11 minutes left. Tejinder Hanspal scored a consolation goal for Sevenoaks with two minutes left.

Reading put five past strugglers Canterbury – although with the score at 0-1 at half time the game could’ve gone either way. Ben Francis scored for the visitors after 30 minutes, and that was followed by two goals from Richard Mantell and others from Lee Morton and Ed Carson.

East Grinstead remain fourth after battling to a 2-1 win over Brooklands MU. Simon Faulkner scored for the hosts after 12 minutes, only for Peter Flanagan to level for Brooklands. But Faulkner’s second sealed the win on the hour mark.

Wimbledon are fifth and poised to climb up the table should their rivals falter. They won 3-1 at Hampstead and Westminster after goals from Jonny Codling, Chad Conlon and Ed Horler. Matt Guise Brown had given the hosts the lead with a 14th minute penalty corner, but it proved to be a false dawn.