James Tindall stars as Old Georgians deliver statement of Top 6 intent with battling triumph at Wimbledon

James Tindall's decisive second-half double helped Old Georgians battle past Wimbledon to open up an eight-point gap on their rivals in the 'Top 6' of the Men's Premier Division. Mirroring the Vitality Women's Hockey League 24 hours earlier, this weekend saw the top-flight's leading two teams duel it out in south-west London and it was in-form Old Georgians who clinched a pulsating 5-3 victory at Raynes Park High School.

Ad/> The table-topping visitors came into the contest with momentum after last week's 5-1 win over Surbiton and required just nine minutes to carry on where they left off as Ashley Jackson fired them into an early lead. Field HockeySuper Surbiton soar to scintillating victory on seismic Saturday of Vitality Women's Hockey10 HOURS AGO But Wimbledon, who started the day five points behind the Surrey side, delivered a rousing first-half rally as Ed Horler and Liam Ansell dramatically turned the tables four minutes later.

That setback seemed to spark Old Georgians back into life at the break, however, as goals from Tom and Ed Carson re-established their advantage in the second period. Then up popped Tindall to craft a two-goal cushion and while Horler pulled one back for the hosts, former England ace Tindall, 38, was on hand to fire home in the 68th minute and lead his team to victory.

The previous evening, Surbiton had beaten Hampstead & Westminster under the Sugden Road lights as two goals from Gareth Furlong helped them pile the pressure on Wimbledon. Furlong's double, bolstered by Luke Taylor's strike — all from penalty corners — repelled efforts from Matthew Guise-Brown and Rupert Shipperley to ensure Surbiton moved level on points with Wimbledon ahead of their Sunday showdown.