Cheam Hockey Club's men kept their promotion charge on track with a battling 3-1 home win against UCL Academicals in Surrey Division Three on Saturday.

After a fiercely contested game between the two sides back in October the stage was set for another tight encounter.

Cheam were quick to gain the initiative with some slick passing, and their early pressure was rewarded with a goal after 10 minutes.

A sweeping move resulted in an Andy Ventris strike repelled by the keeper, only for James Tebbs to slot the rebound home from the edge of the D.

The match became a cagey affair, with chances falling to both sides but half time came with the score still at 1-0.

Cheam edged further ahead early in the second half with Faraz Shibli making a fine run into the D and finishing low past a scrambling keeper.

However the joy was short-lived, with UCL pulling a goal back within seconds of the restart.

Facing a nervy final period, Cheam managed to put the game beyond their opponents with Dominic Beales running onto a Richard Eggleton pass to finish low to the keeper’s right.

Cheam are now joint leaders in their division and hope to keep their winning run going against Spencer Saints next Saturday.

The second team leap-frogged Richmond into second place in Surrey Open 1 with a 2-0 home win over their rivals.

Derry Drophy put Cheam ahead with a powerful strike just before half time, and Marcus Eales put the result beyond doubt with five minutes to go.

Cheam Ladies suffered a late set-back to draw 2-2 at table-toppers Guildford II in Surrey Division 1.

Rose Hutson gave Cheam the lead within the first two minutes, after beating two defenders and slotting home from the edge of the D.

Guildford levelled the game and pushed hard for the win before Rose Hutson grabbed her, and Cheam’s second of the game following an intercepted free hit.

However, with seconds to spare, Guildford grabbed an equaliser and the points were shared.

The second team were crushed 5-0 at home by by Spencer III, a defeat which sees them slip into the relegation zone.