Slazengers Mens I kicked off their North Hockey league Division 2 EAST campaign with a well deserved 8-2 victory away at Durham City Mens I.

The first half was a tight fought affair with both teams having chances before Richard Hutchin’s shot rebounded off the post for it to find Ben Graham ready to tap in.

The second half was much more open with Slazengers playing good hockey in all areas of the pitch creating a number of chances. Richard Hutchins grabbed a couple either side of a Durham goal and Mark Swinden converted a penalty stroke to make it 4-1. Ben Graham’s second came at the end of a flowing team move which went the full length of the pitch and Hutchins completed his hat-trick shortly after.

It wasn’t all plain sailing though as Slazengers found themselves down to nine men for a period, Jonny White received a yellow for a particularly bad challenge and Paul Wiper also saw yellow for something slightly less conspicuous.

Durham pulled one back but Slazengers still continued to dominate, Graham completed his hat trick and was denied a fourth after the Durham goalkeeper threw his stick and gloves across the goal to prevent the easiest of tap ins. A move that saw him receive a yellow card, Mark Swinden converted the resulting penalty flick for his second of the game.

Ben Graham took the man of the match award with Chris Wood and Jimmy Swinden being involved in most of the build up play throughout the game.