SALISBURY Hockey Club’s men’s first team pulled off arguably their best result since celebrating promotion to Hampshire/Surrey Regional Division 2 when they completed the double over Haslemere with a 4-2 win at Bohunt School.

Previous visits to the Surrey county boundary town have rarely brought tangible rewards for the city club – but it was a different story this time, as Salisbury picked up their first win in 2013, writes Mike Vimpany.

Salisbury began well, immediately finding space behind the Haslemere defence and creating early chances. James Hayward, pictured right, opened the scoring – a through ball from Mark Dunn picking out the Salisbury hot-shot to turn and put the chance away.

And Hayward doubled his tally soon after, Ollie Budniak picking out the marksman to make it 2-0 after 15 minutes.

The second goal jolted the hosts into action, but goal-line saves by Chris Warde and Tom Morton ensured a 2-0 half-time lead for the visitors.

Haslemere pushing hard to get back into the game at the start of the second half and, after a poor turnover in the Salisbury ranks, they duly cut the deficit.

Haslemere’s strike could have turned the game but Salisbury maintained their focus and went straight up the other end and won a short corner which was converted by Rory MacTaggart with an excellent drag flick.

Salisbury’s lead was cut to 3-2 with ten minutes left for play as a loose pass across the visitor’s defensive line allowed Haslemere to score on the break.

Haslemere pushed for an equaliser but the Salisbury defence and midfield were defending brilliantly – none more so than Rob Selbie – and the game was won when Rory MacTaggart scored a brilliant individual goal, dribbling past three Haslemere defenders before hitting a reverse stick strike into the bottom corner.

Salisbury will look for a repeat when Winchester – who lost 3-2 to Hamble at the weekend – visit Bemerton on Saturday, 1pm