SALISBURY Hockey firsts produced a fine performance to see-off Winchester 6-1 and stay in touch with pacesetters Andover and Haslemere.

It was the first game back from the winter break and any fears that the Lower Bemerton outfit would be short of match fitness were unequivocally dispelled with their best hockey of the season.

Back in October when Winchester were the visitors, they arguably had the best of a 2-2 draw, this time around Salisbury completely dominated.

Captain Rory MacTaggart continued his rich vein of form by completing his third hat-trick of the campaign with goals from Tom Morton, Alfie Jones and Jaghjit Marwaha.

After the game MacTaggart said: “I couldn’t have asked for a better return after the Christmas break.”

It was the most composed and confident display of hockey I have seen this season.

“Man for man, every player in a Salisbury shirt took charge of their own game and outplayed their opposite man.

“We were ruthless in front of goal and clinical all over the pitch, firmly placing us in a good position to challenge for promotion.”

JIM Nicholson (2), David Hillier and Fred Bond were on target for Salisbury fourths in their 4-4 thriller with Gosport.