Second half comeback not quite enough for Mens 3rd XI.

Saxons tried to get off the mark quickly, pressing high up the field and holding the visitors in their own half.

Saxons achieved a string of penalty corners to no avail. The Brighton keeper was in fine form saving and smothering hits from the top of the D. The closest Saxons came was when a flicked ball from Ed Chapman was deflected over the crossbar by Paul Merison.

Brighton piled on the pressure and it was a poor passing decision that gave Brighton the opportunity to obtain a penalty corner and find the backboard for their first goal of the game. Within minutes Brighton were in Saxons' D again and another penalty corner was deftly put beyond the Saxons defence for goal number two.

Saxons went into the half time break 0-2 and needed some tough love from skipper Buss.

Saxons restarted with renewed vigour. A free hit taken by Stroud found Buss whose snapshot hit the keepers pads only to be swept into the goal at the post by Ben Simmons.

Brighton's response was swift and a free hit enabled their right winger to carry the ball and play a square pass across goal for a forward to slap home beyond a stranded Longley.

The rest of the half was all Saxons with Brighton fiercely defending their 2 goal lead. Saxons again won a series of penalty corners but Brighton read Saxons well to repel a number of chances to score. A scrappy melee in the Brighton D soon paid off with Dyas pouncing on a loose ball and sweeping it home.

Saxons needed time for an equaliser. A penalty corner on the final whistle saw Saxons unable to convert but find a Brighton foot for a reprieve. Again Brighton were quick off their mark and intercepted the ball finding a Saxons foot to end hopes of a draw.

Saxons: Longley(GK), Bontoft, Coleman, Davies, Carrington, Kemsley, Stroud, Chapman, Merison, Buss(c), Whitaker, Simmons, Dyas.