BROOKLANDS MU seconds beat newly-promoted Durham University seconds 5-2 to maintain their 100-per-cent record in the North Premier Hockey League.
Usual coach Peter Mulford was absent, performing video duties for the full England side in the world league finals, so the coaching duties were taken over by Paul Gannon.
And Brooklands started brightly, Rowan Poots, the division's leading scorer, on hand to finish a clever attacking move down the right to break the deadlock.
The second goal saw Leo Watton flick home to give Brooklands a well deserved 2-0 half-time lead.
South African star Kevin Carroll controlled a difficult rising ball in the D to hammer home the third goal before Poots added his second of the game with a deft tap-in at the far post.
After even more pressure, elder statesman of the team, Matt Lakin-Hall, grabbed the fifth goal with a fine strike from the middle of the D.
Some laziness in the last five minutes, coupled with determined efforts by Durham, saw the visitors score two late consolation goals.
The first half of the season ends with a local derby at rivals Timperley firsts on Saturday.
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