HOCKEY: AFTER a month off Thurrock Mens 1sts knew it was going to be a challenge to overturn Upminster and increase their lead at the top of NE14Hockey East Div 3SE.

The Tees - who won 3-1 - were off to a flyer after Declan Milane found the back of the net from a short corner.

Then Nick Stapleton fired the ball into the D, finding Matt Gaut’s stick and also the top corner of Upminster’s goal.

Thurrock managed to put the icing on the cake thanks to captain Steve Abbott’s stick skills seeing him through the Upminster defence and hammering the ball past the keeper.

Thurrock’s next game is home to Crostyx 2nds on Saturday.