NORTH Wilts took a step closer to the East Central 1 title with an 8-2 demolition of West Wilts B in Warminster.

North were not at their best in the first 10 minutes and were rather fortunate to be 2-0 up courtesy of a couple of strikes from Jim Towers.

West hit back with a goal of their own and that spurred the visitors into life. Dan Conneely helped run matters in the middle of the pitch and it was the midfielder who restored the two-goal lead.

But the away side went to sleep from the restart and a misplaced pass allowed the West centre forward to smash past goalkeeper Neil Smith.

Stern words from skipper Wilson at half-time along with a positional reshuffle worked their magic and North were a much-improved proposition after the break.

Quick breakout play enabled Darren Hiller to add two further goals, before veteran forward Darran Cragg added another to take the score out to 6-2.

Hillier completed his hat-trick in fine style as he waltzed round the goalkeeper and walked the ball over the line.

In the closing minutes, North scored their eighth courtesy of a Damo Holland tap-in at the back post following a flowing passing move.

North Wilts A played two games at the weekend in East Central 2, winning 6-3 against West Wilts D and defeating Wootton Bassett B 5-3.

George Bull and Kiran Momi were among the goalscorers against West Wilts D.

On Sunday against Bassett, Jamie Graham had the ball in the net before an opposing player had even touched it.

Momi netted from a short corner when he expertly flicked the ball over the stranded keeper and into the net.

Bull got another following an impressive run from defence by left-back Chris McKendrick, to give Wilts a 3-0 lead.

Bassett pulled one back before the break and trickled another over the line following the resumption.

Momi applied a clinical short corner strike and Cragg took the score out to 5-2. Bassett got a late third but North held on.

In women’s hockey, Swindon and Cirencester shared a 1-1 draw in Premier Division 2A.