Dereham nearer league hockey title

Cambridge University II 2, Dereham 4

HOCKEY: With other results falling in their favour, Dereham extended their lead at the top of East Men's League Premier B to seven points with just six games to play.

Cambridge started strongly but Dereham held strong and soaked up the early pressure.

Dereham eventually got on top and started to create chances. Sam Plater had a golden opportunity, but having beaten three defenders and the keeper he saw his shot creep agonisingly wide.

Plater eventually broke the deadlock with a trademark drag-flick from a short corner which helped to settle Dereham.

They doubled their advantage shortly before half-time when Michael Timm was on hand to slot home another goal.

Dereham were in the ascendancy and straight started the second half in attacking form and soon scored again as Plater doubled his personal tally, finishing a cross from Richard Stainthorpe.

The students pulled one goal back fairly early on in the second half, but this spurred Dereham on and Andy Lawrence made it 4-1 with a short corner drilled low past the keeper.

Cambridge pulled a second back with 10 minutes to go with an unstoppable strike from the top of the D. This gave the students heart and led to an onslaught towards the end of the game. But man of the match Mark Hunter was in top form and pulled the strings in the Dereham defence, ensuring it stayed 4-2.