Holt Harlequins First XI 1, Gorleston 6.Gorleston's excellent form continued for the second week in succession when they handed out another six-goal hiding, this time to Holt Harlequins I in a late afternoon push-back in bitter North Norfolk conditions.

Holt Harlequins First XI 1, Gorleston 6.

Gorleston's excellent form continued for the second week in succession when they handed out another six-goal hiding, this time to Holt Harlequins I in a late afternoon push-back in bitter North Norfolk conditions.

With the confidence of having already beaten them comfortably at home last November, Gorleston applied pressure from the start and were awarded a short corner after six minutes, which Martyn Vaudin clinically converted. With Jason Austin, Andrew Lilly and Jamie Higginbotham solid in the midfield as usual, the traffic towards the Holt goal was more or less non-stop and it was little surprise when the lead was doubled ten minutes later, this time a shot from Liam Payne taking a cruel deflection past the home keeper. But Holt's fortunes have improved of late, with some new young faces in the team and although lacking Gorleston's experience, they battled gamely until half-time to prevent further scoring without offering any real threat at the other end of the pitch.

Two goals in two minutes immediately after the interval settled the result of the game. First Jamie Higginbotham powered in another short-corner strike before he turned provider for Russ Crawford to get his name on the score-sheet. Then came the best move of the game, when Nick Mobbs broke swiftly down the right, skilfully avoiding several tackles, before crossing to Malcolm Berry, who slipped the ball under the advancing keeper. There was still time for man of the match Jamie to score his second and Gorleston's sixth before Holt deservedly got a consolation goal from Andrew Plumb, and Andrew might well have scored again but for a fine reaction save from Barney King.

In Division Four NE of the NE14 Men's Hockey League the relegation positions have been decided, but the promotion battle will clearly continue to the last game. UEA III and Felixstowe III (both of whom third-placed Gorleston still have to play) are relegated, but with Ipswich IV losing to Cranes last week and UEA II winning at Lowestoft Railway, all the top three sides cannot be overtaken. Next week Gorleston are at home to the relegated students and push-back is at the Cliff Park Community pitch at 2.30 pm