Barnes Hockey Club’s men beat second-placed High Wycombe 5-3 to stay top of South Premier Two last weekend, writes Mike Thomas.

The leaders took time to settle as Wycombe’s swift young forwards repeatedly got behind their defence.

But after top-scorer Jonny Perkins carefully deflected a shot home to give Barnes the lead, the Lonsdale Road side took control.

Perkins added two more to complete a first-half hat-trick and, with Ed Cole pulling the strings in centre midfield, Barnes were dominant.

However, poor concentration let Wycombe score twice out of nothing.

Strikes from Aussie Liam Rothwell and man-of-the-match Perkins calmed nerves and a convincing home win, although the Bucks outfit grabbed a late third.

Top of the table: 1 Barnes played 17 points 32, 2 Wayfarers 17-29, 3 Wycombe 15-26, 4 Gore Court 15-25, 5 Eastbourne 15-25.