IT was a game of two halves for Ben Rhydding Men as they secured a 5-2 win after making the long journey to play Deeside Ramblers.

Playing in the unseasonal sunshine and warmth, Rhydding delivered some beautiful hockey in the first half.

It did not take long for them to open the scoring courtesy of a Will Musgrave corner.

However, Will Rutter in goal had to make a few good saves and the Rhydding defence had to pull out some excellent tackles in a period of pressure.

Breaking from corner defence, Will Jones gave an amazing ball for George Gamble to slide it on for Andrew Lorimer, who smashed in a reverse to make it 2-0.

The game continued to be stodgy in midfield with Rhydding trying hard to create some flow.

They converted a corner just before half-time, as Musgrave made no mistake and taking his team to 3-0 going into the break.

Rhydding scored just as the second half began when they ripped the ball off Deeside high up the pitch, and Matty Bairstow found Musgrave, who gathered the ball and slotted it past the keeper for his hat-trick.

A disallowed goal disheartened the away team and relentless breaking down of play by Deeside made the game slow as Rhydding were unable to find their pace and rhythm. Some foolish and unnecessary challenges from Rhydding led to a series of corners for Deeside; two of which were converted to bring the score back to 4-2.

Rhydding got a last-gasp goal from a corner on the final whistle, with Musgrave burying it to leave the tally at 5-2.

In other news, the Ladies Over 35s beat Lancaster 6-2 in the England Hockey Masters Championships.

Goals from Abby Box (4), Michelle Eldridge and Mel Scott take them into the quarter-finals and a home tie on March 10.

DEMY DOWLEY