EASTCOTE claimed the win they needed to be absolutely sure of avoiding relegation but they made hard work of defeating Woking.

The Reds looked set to wrap up a comfortable win when they created several chances early on, only to find the Woking keeper in good form.

She was finally beaten when Marissa Gresophsen linked with Liz Walker and slotted home but a 1-0 half-time score was disappointing given the amount of possession Eastcote enjoyed.

By contrast they were decidedly lack-lustre in the second half and a dubious deflection in their D resulted in an equaliser for the visitors.

Eastcote captain Jen Cox got her side fired up and they were soon back on top, carving out plenty more opportunities but none were taken until with five minutes to go Lucy Todd scored from open play.

They will need to improve this weekend when they play games at home to Oxford University on Saturday and away to Trojans on Sunday.

Elsewhere the Twos enjoyed a good 3-1 win over Ashford with goals from Fi Chandler, Meg Williams and Kim Spencer-Pell, while the Threes saw off West Hampstead III 5-1 thanks to Char-maine Woodley, Alison Bushnell and Gaye Berry (3). Both teams remain second in their divisions.

The Fours drew 2-2 at Teddington V and the Fives lost 1-0 to Ashford IV.

MEN: Eastcote 3 Amersham & Chalfont 1

COMPLACENCY played a big part as Eastcote stuttered to a 3-1 win at home to bottom side Amersham & Chalfont whom they thumped 14-1 in November.

The fact that they did at least recorda win was the best that could be said about the game as the Boars' league season begins to fizzle out.

They still trail Milton Keynes by nine points and only four games remain so promotion is looking ever more unlikely.

Eastcote lacked fluency and although Gaz Amos flicked the ball over the advancing keeper to open the scoring and Simon Samuels deflected in from a short corner, a 2-0 lead at half-time was far less than the hosts expected.

However, the second half performance was arguably even worse and while Austin Pritchard made it 3-0 from another short corner deflection, there was no further addition and Amersham even managed to pull a goal back near the end.

On Saturday Eastcote make the short trip to Southall to play Ramgarhia.

The Twos went down 5-0 at leaders Brighton & Hove and the Threes also lost 3-1 to Milton Keynes, David Cooper with the consolation. The Simbas, Fours, Sevens and Past Masters all won.

The second team provided the highlight of Sunday's action as they won 3-2 at Bexleyheath and Belvedere in the England Hockey Trophy Semi-final. Ian Sadler struck twice and Peter Brookes grabbed the other goal to book a date with Brighton & Hove in the May 10 final.

The mixed team lost 4-3 to Worthing after conceding twice in the opening two minutes. Mark Defanis (2) and David Cooper got their goals.