WILMSLOW Hockey Club's men secured a fine 3-1 win at Newcastle University after going behind in the second half.

Newcastle had looked to be one of Wilmslow’s main promotion contenders, with probably the fastest team in the division.

The tangerines, however, have been steadily improving and have played with much more self-belief on their travels.

The first half was a tense affair with no clear-cut chances for either team.

Wilmslow started slowly and it looked like Newcastle’s counter attacking approach would cause them problems but neither team could create a good opportunity to break the deadlock.

Newcastle finished the half with some intense pressure but without having a clear sight of goal.

The second half started in the same fashion, but Newcastle took advantage of a rare short corner to take the lead.

Wilmslow sprung into life and Martin Wright despatched a short corner into the bottom corner to level the scores.

Newcastle applied the pressure in response, but a breakaway goal finished by Jack Wright turned the game around to give Wilmslow the lead with only five minutes left.

Wilmslow scored again on the counter to seal the win when Joe Booth finished calmly after a three-on-one.

The tangerines have now accumulated a 13-point lead over third place.

Wilmslow's ladies defeated Lindum 1-0 in a dour affair between two mid-table sides.

The tangerine defence coped well with a constant battering from the ladies from Lincoln, with Cat Lang steadfast in goal and Kelman sisters Hannah and Emilie keeping particularly busy.

At the other end promising youngster Amelia Poole played with skill and aggression, and Hannah Coulson caused the visitors problems with her pace.

Wilmslow, however, were kept in the game by the tireless midfield play of Lily Harrison.

As the game wore on the crowd were beginning to settle for a scoreless draw when, from a breakaway, leading goalscorer Lindsay Rachubka netted to take the points.