COLIN French scored four as Trojans returned to winning ways with an 8-1 mauling of Hampshire/Surrey Regional League strugglers London Edwardians at Battersea Park.

The Regional League leaders had opened their new year programme with a nine-goal romp against Reigate Priory.

But the postponement of the Old Cranleighans match, coupled with last week's 1-1 draw with improving Winchester, had trimmed Trojans' lead over second-placed Epsom to two points.

"The old buzz was back at Battersea," smiled Trojans skipper Campbell Williams. "We were sharp from the start and goals came very regularly."

"Colin's goals were the pick of the bunch - all about positioning."

French, who took his season's goal tally to ten, was on the receiving end of some flowing moves, many initiated by Nav Rai and the roving Paul Hilton.

Wayne Shepherd tucked away another two penalty corners - the evergreen campaigner now has 20 goals this term - while Dave Cheesman and Suni Bolina also hit the target in a comfortable win.

Edwardians, meanwhile, will be glad to see the back of local sides, having lost 3-2 to Winchester and been battered by both Hamble (11-3) and Trojans in recent weeks.

Epsom, whose visit to Stoneham Lane on February 26 will be critical in the title stakes, won 3-1 at London Wayfarers.

Hamble remain in the thick of the promotion chase after worsening Southampton's relegation fears with a 4-1 Sports Centre win.

Lying three points behind Trojans, Hamble missed their chances - and also had a few close shaves against their determined city neighbours, who have a massive relegation fight on their hands.

Regional top marksman Steve Barber scored the first and last of Hamble's four goals - Hamoza and Duncan Marsh getting the others, while Chris Stokes replied for Southampton.

News of resurgent Winchester's 2-1 win over Old Whitgiftians was well received by Trojans, who face the Old Boys in Croydon on Saturday.

Winchester grabbed a ninth-minute lead - Stuart Swift catching the OW goalkeeper off guard from Don Walker's pass - and were 2-0 ahead by the break, Ben Hibberd scoring after top work by Chris Ralph and Rob Craddock.

Old Whitgiftians grabbed a consolation goal two minutes from time but Winchester never looked likely to concede their seven-match unbeaten record.

Bhagat Singh Lally bagged a brace as Trojans II trimmed Mid-Sussex 3-1 to cement their Open Premier League, Division 2 standing. Teenager Tom Cornick, whose elder sister also scored for the women's team, clinched the win with Trojans' third.

WOMEN'S HOCKEY: There was no keeping the Oakley family out of the spotlight at the weekend.

Louise Oakley emulated brother Matt's FA Cup 20-yarder for Saints against Pompey with a real stunner in Trjoans II's Hampshire Division II 6-2 win over Southampton II.

Georgie Cornick - whose little brother was on target for Trojans II against Mid-Sussex - Sam Strange, Kathy James, Nyssa McNeill and Carly Peebles made up Trojans' six. Kirsten Cox and Amy Sheehan replied for Southampton.

Trojans resume their biennial battle for EHA Premier League survival against cup semi-finalists Fyffes Leicester at Stoneham Lane on Saturday, 12 noon.

They lie in third-from-bottom place, one point above Doncaster and well clear of winless Sutton Coldfield, who look certainties for relegation.

But it's going to be a long, hard slog for Trojans, whose only successes so far have come against the two clubs immediately below them in the table.

Alex Danson's fitness following a shoulder injury could be the key for Trojans, who have managed only ten goals in 11 league games.

Southampton, in an identical third-from-bottom spot, face Division 3 top dogs Bradford at the Sports Centre.

Jo Knight's girls held the Yorkies 3-3 earlier in the season.

Aldershot look near certainties to clinch a second consecutive Hampshire Women's League title, but Trojans are well placed to finish second.

Profligate Winchester found themselves a goal down after just two minutes to cellar dwellers Gosport, but a Kate Stockham brace, coupled with goals from Lisa Crack and Jo Gaunt, gave Hilda Bamforth's side a 4-1 win.

Winchester's mixed team enjoyed a 3-1 success in the EHA KO Cup, beating Blackheath 3-1 through Pete Rowlands, Chris Lane and Bamforth.