Reading moved third in the Men’s Hockey League Premier Division after claiming all three points in an entertaining 4-3 victory at Holcombe.

Robert Field opened the scoring inside the first 60 seconds for the hosts, but in a lively start, goals from Tom Carson and Lee Morton ensured Reading were in front after just nine minutes, a lead they would hold till the break.

Two goals in three minutes after the restart, Ben Boon’s ninth of the season and a Richard Mantell penalty corner, put the visitors in control and despite a second half fight back from the hosts, Nicholas Bandurak netting his 12th of the campaign and a late Dan Webster effort, it was Reading that took the points.

Meanwhile the division’s bottom two, Sevenoaks and Canterbury, played out an exciting 3-3 draw in the all-Kent clash.

Sam Barrett and Michal Nowakowski had put Canterbury two up, but a brace from Duncan Parnis and one from Mike Barber looked to have given Sevenoaks the points.

However, 29-year-old Australian international Craig Boyne would have the last say, his goal three minutes from time earned Canterbury a share of the spoils, a draw doing neither side many favours in their respective battles against relegation.