Wapping men’s Firsts picked up a 4-2 win over St Albans, who are managed by England and Great Britain head coach Andy Halliday.

St Albans took the lead following a bright start, netting with a low drag flick from a short corner. However that setback spurred Wapping on and they were level from an incisive attack, Grant Aidoo-Nash sweeping home from close range.

Wapping started the second period as the stronger of the two sides and took the lead for the first time when Mark Bennett marked his return from injury and struck via the outstretched stick of an opposing defender.

However St Albans then equalised from their own short corner routine.

The hosts attacked again and goals finally came to reflect their good attacking play. Phil Messent capped a fine individual performance with a neat reverse stick finish and captain Oliver Cooper calmly slotted home a penalty stroke after excellent work from winger Aidoo-Nash.

“We are really pleased to pick up three points against a team that were in the national league last season. However, there is still plenty of room for improvement and we’ll be working hard to continue our good form,” said captain Oliver Cooper.

Wapping ladies’ Firsts were comfortably beaten, going down 5-2 at Saffron Walden.

The visitors capitalised on a bright start when they were awarded a free hit outside the 25-yard box. Taken quickly by Lucy Todd, a quick pass picked out Kate Radford and she swept home from inside the ‘D’.

A short corner for Saffron Walden yielded the equaliser, before the hosts managed to run in two unanswered goals before the break to go 3-1 up.

Another short corner saw Saffron Walden take a 4-1 lead, but Wapping wasted no time in reducing the deficit as Charlotte Keizer struck from the top of the ‘D’ to halve the hosts’ lead.

With Wapping pushing for a winner, Saffron Walden were finally able to put the game to bed with a deflected effort.

Captain Todd said: “This was a disappointing result for the team. We know which key areas we need to work on and which we need to get right for next weekend.”