Old Loughtonians Men ran out out 4-1 winners over Indian Gymkhana in their Conference East Men’s Hockey League fixture.

Within two minutes the Loughts were ahead when Oliver Didham finished with a sharp drag flick.

Adam Price then doubled the lead with his first National League goal, meeting a cross to steer home from close-range.

The points were by no means secure, and in the second-half, Indian Gym got one back when Jagdeep Gill put away from a penalty corner.

Luke Mepham then re-established the visitor’s two-goal advantage when he fired home with an effort that left the Indian Gym ‘keeper comfortably beaten.

Josh Mepham completed the victory by firing into an empty net.

The result moves Loughts up to fifth in the league ahead of Saturday’s encounter with league-leaders Holcombe.

Old Loughtonians Ladies held Oxford Hawks to a 1-1 draw after a spell of late pressure forced an equaliser.

The hosts took a 22nd minute lead through after a right-side attack allowed Lucy Stewart to finish from inside the ‘D’.

However, in the 70th minute Loughts won a penalty corner from which their pressure told.

Coach Royce Walters called a slip left corner routine, a routine which had never been practised with the personnel on the field, and the gamble paid off.

Captain Sarah Smith forced a save from the hosts' goalkeeper before Hannah Bloy finished to take a share of the spoils.

In the Essex Indoor Cup, the Under-18 girls beat Havering 5-0 in a winner-takes-all match for the title and a place at the East Finals.

Loughts started well, controlling the game and enjoying the lion’s share of the chances but the Havering goalkeeper kept her side in the game with several fine stops including a penalty flick.

Eventually the breakthrough came with Hannah Bloy slotting the ball home to take a 1-0 lead into the break.

With a little more precision in front of goal the girls took control of the game in the second half with two quick goals.

Nicole Hayes had a relatively quiet game in goal but was alert throughout, saving well when Havering created a few chances.

Eventually Loughts ran in two more goals and Loughts now progress to the East Finals at Colchester in December along with the Old Loughtonians Under-16s boys and girls and Under-18s boys sides.