Following on from the disappointing dropped points the previous week away at Henley, the men's first team returned to 'the Nest' in pursuit of 3 points to aid their promotion push. A delightfully cold and wet day greeted the sides at the TLC when the game began as both sides struggled to play fluid hockey in the first fifteen minutes. However, Thame took the lead when Ben Caiger buried the ball into the goal following some tidy work from Adam Lawrenson. With the first goal on the board the pendulum swung in favour of Thame as they began to dominate the game. This pressure finally told with just over five minutes to go until halftime when Dave Garghan skillfully deflected Aidan Benger's reverse hit past the keeper. Dave's second followed a minute later with another finish from close range and before the half time whistle was blown Isaac Laws slammed the ball in from top D to get himself on the scoresheet.
4-0 up at halftime and cruising. The team talk centred around doing more of the same and continuing to control the game. The words from coach Dan were largely put into action as Thame continued to have the lion's share of possession and territory. Four more goals followed in the second half with Laws notching his second despite a failed lob following some great link-up play from Lawrenson and Caiger. Laws's hattrick soon followed after a well executed short corner with Garghan joining him on a hattrick soon after following another short corner (and a fortuitous touch by a defender). Thame's eighth saw Tom Creswell, on his return to the 1XI following a 5.5 year hiatus, bury the ball into the net after some more great teamplay down the right hand side. Oxford Uni grabbed a late consolation but the job was done.

A great 8-1 win extends their unbeaten run and pushes Thame back into the promotion places following other results. Many thanks to all the supporters who braved the rain and the cold to come down and support. A big last six games to go now with the opportunity for back-to-back promotions in our own hands!

MoM: Dave Garghan - the least annoying of the hattrick goal scorers despite the Belligham-esque celebrations.
DoD: Elliot Dales - some interesting passing at times and sauna antics.