AFTER finishing in the top five of the National League West Conference last season, and third in Division One of the Super Sixes Indoor Championships, Ashmoor Hockey Club followed up a hard-working pre-season with their first weekend match run-outs.

The men's first team played in the Beeston Tournament with the club’s second, third and fourth XIs having useful games against local teams. Against National League opposition from across the country, Ashmoor firsts put in a really good performance over the whole weekend.

They opened with a well-deserved 3-1 win over Ben Rhydding from the North Conference. Captain Jamie Bishop opened the scoring with quality team goals following from Lewie Jones and the electric-paced Ben Hedley setting up Cellan Stokes for Ashmoor's third.

The squad, a strong mix of youth and experience, followed this up with a 0-0 draw against a lively Newcastle University side. Next, they played table-toppers City of Peterborough but matched them stride for stride, Bishop equalising from a penalty corner for a 1-1 draw.

On day two, Ashmoor's fitness levels were maintained and despite dominating against the University of Nottingham, the draw looked on the cards until the Uni side stole it with a set-piece goal on the final whistle.

Ashmoor bounced straight back from this with a free-scoring 4-2 win against Staines, courtesy of a hat-trick from striker Rich Fisher and a lovely finish from Fletch Naisbett-Jones.

These efforts were rewarded as Ashmoor had a final lined up against Peterborough. The team were playing some of their best hockey of the weekend and dominated possession and chances.

Naisbett-Jones stole the ball off a City defender in Ashmoor's high press. He found Ollie Langrishe leading through, who controlled well and played an inch-perfect pass across goal for Cathan Wherry to finish and give Ashmoor a 1-0 advantage.

Ashmoor couldn't find a second and had a penalty stroke award reversed, which left the final score at 1-1 after Peterborough gained a rather fortunate equaliser.

In the shootout, Hamish Addy kept out all bar one of the Peterborough penalty shuffles, but the difference was a penalty stroke which was harshly awarded against the keeper. George Galbraith scored his penalty for Ashmoor. It was an excellent result to reach the final and bodes well for the forthcoming season.

The team pic shows Ashmoor's squad from Sunday, with Lewis Hammett and player-coach Jack Dinnie absent having played on the Saturday only.

Moving on now and the newly promoted men's second team drew 1-1 at Torbay firsts, new signing Phil Hampson getting his first goal for the club. The young third team had a tough loss to Dart firsts with Sam Haywood grabbing Ashmoor's goal, and Ernie Hunt earning the player of the match plaudits.

Finally, the fourth XI took a two-goal lead against Plymouth Lions through young pair Harry Easthope and Alex Southgate, but were unable to sustain it. The final score was 2-4.

On Saturday, it’s the final weekend before the England Hockey leagues commence, and Ashmoor travel to play Team Bath.

This weekend, Ashmoor's newly promoted women's first XI and the men's second XI take part in the Devon Tournament, hosted at the Marjon campus in Plymouth. Meanwhile, Ashmoor's thirds & fourths host their counterparts from Ocean City.