Leaders Hemel Hempstead Rovers made it seven wins out of seven in the West Herts League Premier Division with a 6-3 victory at Croxley Community.

Despite not playing since the middle of December, the table toppers were quickly back into the groove as Charlie Rance scored their opener after just five minutes.

Rance went on to complete a first-half hat-trick after Croxley had given themselves a lifeline by scoring their first goal.

They were to net two more after the break but Hemel remained in command, also scoring on two further occasions through Marcus Tower and Rhys Stonebank to remain two points clear at the top.

The Engineer are the leaders’ closest challengers after beating Bovingdon A 4-2 thanks to a brace from Rob Walker and further goals from Colin Arnsby and Jack Cartwright. Ross Ledwith and Naim Rahman-Lewis responded for Bovingdon.

Kings Sports remain unbeaten after inflicting a first league defeat of the season on Potten End by winning 2-0.

It was a case of what might have been for Potten after they missed two early penalties, the second of which was saved by keeper Mason Davis, and they were made to pay when Jack Bamford gave the home side the lead.

The ball was on the other foot after the break as the visitors increased the pressure in the last 15 minutes after Kings had been unable to convert several good chances to add to their lead before Shaun Stevens finally made the points safe.

A James Butler hat-trick led the way as Tring Athletic A enjoyed a convincing 6-1 victory at Langleybury Cricket Club.

Andy Humphries added a brace and Ollie Ruttle was also on target, with Ollie Ilott scoring the cricketers’ consolation.

Division One leaders Caddington were made to work hard against third-placed Hunton Bridge to come away with a 3-2 win.

The victory keeps the table toppers ten points clear, although the chasing pack do have games in hand.

James Anthony Ray (2) and John Cartwright scored for the victors, with Joe Zazzera and Hamid Ali replying.

Croxley Community Reserves, who have played four games less than Caddington, scraped to a 2-1 win over Global to keep the pressure on the top side. Richard Francis netted for Global.

Hemel Hempstead Rovers Reserves, who had John Edey (2), Jack West (2) and Samuel Hailey on the scoresheet, secured a 5-2 victory against a Oxhey Academy side still awaiting their first points of the season. Marco Geremia and Richard Parker got the Academy goals.

Croxley Green were in free-scoring form as they thrashed Oxhey A 10-1.

The goals were shared around as Harrison Flesch (2), Dan Walsh (2), Alex Busby, Henry Hindley, Ben Spires, James New, Harry West and an own goal registered for the victors, with Tom Mackey getting Oxhey’s consolation.

Aiden Stockwell (2) and David Aston were on target to give Evergreen A a 3-1 win over Chesham United Generals to remain in seventh.