Skipper Sol Buckner slipped the ball through the keeper's legs on 14 minutes before Paul Merison made it 2-0 minutes later firing in from close range.

The visitors hit back early in the second half when an unmarked player fired past Ben Bosden. But Saxons superior fitness and extra players told when Merison made it 3-1 on 48 minutes.

Then on the hour, Buckner then set up Tom Waters whose deft touch slipped past the keeper to wrap up a solid afternoon's work in the warm autumn sunshine. Ben Bosden earned man-of-the-match for a string of fine saves to keep the visitors at bay.

Buckner said: "It took us until November to win our first game last season so it's nice to get that first win under our belts. We're in better shape with a stronger, more capable squad and looking forward to challenging the best teams in our league this year."

Saxons travel to Worthing Penguins on 5th October for their first match in Sussex Open Hockey League Division Five.

Team: Bosden, Roberts, Carrington, Pickard, Stevens, McIntyre, Wilson, Merison, Waters, Waller, Buckner, Woodford, Giles