Holcombe made it three wins out of three in the Premier Division with a late 3-2 victory over Hampstead & Westminster at Paddington Rec on Saturday evening.

Kiran Arunasalam put Rhett Halkett’s side in front inside 10 minutes with captain Rob Field equalising at the end of the first quarter.

Teague Marcano scored his second of the season to turn the game on its head early in the second half before Matt Guise-Brown levelled things up again.

With twelve minutes to go, New Zealander Tim Neild put Holcs back in front with his first goal for the club but Great Britain’s Ollie Payne had to be on hand to deny the home side at the death with a phenomenal stick save.

Arunasalam flicked the ball into the roof of the net after nine minutes to put the hosts in front – giving them hope of a second victory in seven against Holcombe but Kwan Browne’s side were able to bounce back, much like on the opening day against Wimbledon.

Field’s drag-flick around eight minutes later flew past Toby Reynolds-Cotterill and into the net to level the scores at the end of the first quarter, with neither side holding a lead at any of the intervals.

Tom Russell, searching for his third goal in as many matches, also saw an effort well-saved by the Welsh goalkeeper in an eventful opening quarter.

A relatively quiet, scrappy second period followed – Holcombe had more of the action but struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities as they looked to keep their winning run going.

Marcano gave the visitors the lead early on in the second half, though, as he slotted into the bottom corner for his second of the season.

Guise-Brown – brother of now-teammate and former Holcombe player Tim – ensured that his team went in level at the final break though, flicking past Payne from a re-taken penalty corner.

Neild was able to scramble the ball home inside the first six minutes of the final quarter for his first goal in English hockey – with Russell squandering a chance to extend the lead late on after Halkett withdrew Reynolds-Cotterill to play with 11 outfield players.

Payne was called into action from a last-gasp penalty corner and he preserved the lead with a superb stick save which was shortly followed by the final whistle, sparking relief and jubilation for Browne’s men.

Impressively, Holcombe have beaten two of last season’s top-four in their first three matches – which is only more impressive when you consider that Browne brought in a number of new players over the summer and has implemented a vastly different style of play and set-up since taking over from Barry Middleton as head coach.

The Incredible Holcs did brilliantly to extend their winning run and are level on points with leaders and champions Old Georgians ahead of their meeting at Holcombe Park next weekend (18:30). Old Georgians sit above Holcombe on goal difference only, as things stand – having beat Bowdon (6-1), Southgate (8-1) and Richmond (12-1) in their first three matches.

The visitors could include a number of former Holcombe players in a repeat of the 2022/23 England Hockey League Premier Division final.

This win maintains their unbeaten run this season, leaving them level on points with first place Old Georgians, who they coincidentally face next. Kwan Browne’s men will be looking to end Old Georgians’ unbeaten season with a victory at Holcombe Park.

Premier Division results:

Beeston 2-1 Cardiff & Met

Hampstead & Westminster 2-3 Holcombe

Old Georgians 12-1 Richmond

Southgate 1-4 Oxted

Bowdon 1-3 East Grinstead