Alan Forsyth hit four goals as Surbiton secured a crucial 6-1 victory over rivals and hosts Holcombe in the Men’s Hockey League Premier Division on Sunday.

Last season’s champions and current table toppers, Surbiton are level on 20 points with Hampstead & Westminster who battled to a 5-4 win over Brooklands MU.

Holcombe drew first blood over Surbiton with Nick Bandurak scoring from open play in the first minute, but it proved to be a false dawn with Tom Sorsby scoring after 12 minutes, and Forsyth giving Surbiton the lead from a penalty stroke in the 23rd minute.

The visitors led 4-1 at half time with David Goodfield scoring five minutes before half time and Forsyth adding his second on 34 minutes, and after the break he scored two more to seal the win.

Elsewhere, the University of Exeter took their maiden win of the league so far with a 3-2 victory over Sevenoaks, who they leapfrog on the back of the win.

Brothers George and James Carson both scored as well as Ben Cooke, while Ali Taylor and Ton Chandler scored for Sevenoaks.

Canterbury kept themselves in with a shout of promotion by beating bottom of the table Richmond 3-2 away from home in the Men’s Conference East.

Men’s Hockey League

Premier Division: Beeston 1, Reading 1; East Grinstead 4, Wimbledon 3; Hampstead & Westminster 5, Brooklands MU 4; Holcombe 1, Surbiton 6; University of Exeter 3, Sevenoaks 2.

Conference East: Brighton & Hove 2, Old Loughtonians 2; Old Georgians 8, Cambridge City 2; Richmond 2, Canterbury 3; Southgate 3, Oxted 1; Teddington 2, City of Peterborough 2.