OLD Halesonians Hockey Club moved up to third place in Warwick Printing Midlands One with a 4-3 victory at Hampton-In-Arden — a place they had not tasted victory at for several years.
The visitors started the brighter, as the host’s were slow to get going in the icy conditions.
Hales, though, struggled to make their dominance count as they wasted several good opportunities.
In the closing stages of the first half, Hales finally got their break through when Cole Hickman found himself one-on-one and calmly tucked it past the goalkeeper.
Smart second-half passing in the second half found Hales' Graham Knight in the D, and his cut back found Josh Randhawa who dived in to slide home the ball.
This appeared to wake up the hosts, and they found themselves level after two quick short corners.
In previous seasons this may have seen Hales fall away, but they showed their resilience to go straight back up the other end and retake the lead through Tom Durnford.
Hales again doubled their advantage from their own short corner through Durnford before Hampton pulled one back through a penalty flick.
Hales host Edgbaston at King Edwards VI Five Ways School at 1.30pm on Saturday.
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