TOM Hughes opened his account for Urmston Hockey Club men’s firsts on Saturday as they beat Crewe Vagrants men’s firsts 4-1 in Division Two West.

He was joined on the scoresheet by Mike Tonge, Brad Bates and Andy Power with man-of-the-match Charlie Weems pulling the strings in a dominant performance.

Star man Stuart Higginbotham's strike broke Division Five North South leaders Horwich’s 100-per-cent record as the men’s seconds drew 1-1.

Both teams had goals ruled out but the draw keeps Urmston close at the head of the chasing pack for the title.

New player Lucy Griffiths and Beth Harper shared the goals and players’ player vote as the ladies' seconds drew 2-2 with Didsbury Northern ladies’ sevenths in Division Three.

Lucy Buckley was impressive in defence as the side sealed a hard-earned point in an end-to-end encounter.

Stacey Bell netted again for the ladies’ firsts but it was not enough to prevent a 3-2 defeat to Crewe Vagrants ladies’ firsts in Division Two South West, while the men’s thirds fell 2-1 to Macclesfield men’s fourths in Division Eight South East.

Meanwhile, the club's juniors made their debuts at the weekend with boys and girls competing in the under-13 age group for the first time

Mickey Keayrns kept two clean sheets as the team drew 0-0 with Bury and Timperley B, while Sam Wood achieved the same feat between the sticks as the boys drew 0-0 with Stockport B.

Max Groves netted Urmston’s goal against Oldham after tireless build-up play by captain Drew Ilsley and Daniel Bates in midfield.

They were edged in close defeats to Bowdon B and Stockport A 1-0 and 2-0 respectively, despite solid defensive work by Joe Wilcox, Harvey Simpson, and Tom MacLead.

Maizie Lillie’s strong tackling was at the heart of the girls' impressive defensive play, while midfielders Mia Gwilym and Rosie O'Brien kept the engine room ticking with great power.