Melton hockey: Title-chasing Third XI ease past Kettering

The team travelled to bottom side Kettering and returned 5-1 winners to stay within a point of leaders Barton who were 6-3 winners at home to Tamworth.

On Saturday they entertain fourth-bottom Chesterfield at Burton Road (2pm).

Melton’s Ladies secured a 1-1 draw at relegation rivals Ashby Seconds to stay three points clear of the bottom two in Leicestershire League Premier.

But that was as good as it got for the club with defeats for the rest of the men’s teams.

The First XI slumped to a disappointing 6-1 defeat in a basement battle at Leicester.

Second-bottom Melton started the day just a point behind the hosts, but face a real battle to avoid slipping out of Midlands Division Two.

On Saturday they face a tough test away to second-placed Warwick University.

Melton’s Second XI were narrowly beaten 2-1 by top four side Northampton Saints in East Midlands Premier.

The result leaves them just two points above second-bottom Coventry and Warwick who have two games in hand.

The Fourth XI also slipped to defeat as they were beaten 4-1 at home by fellow strugglers West Bridgford.

Melton remain second-bottom of Central League South East Division Two ahead of their trip to leaders Coalville on Saturday.