South Pembs. men's hockey team restarted their South Wales Division Two campaign after a two-week Christmas break with a convincing victory over the students of Cardiff University. The fixture was played during the early evening on the floodlit pitch at Tal-y-bont campus in Cardiff.

Both teams started slowly. South Pembrokeshire took the early lead, with Jamie Smith scoring after good build-up play from the midfield. The university side were soon on the hunt for the equaliser and produced some fine hockey.

Some excellent goalkeeping from Miller and defensive work from Mosely at sweeper, Irving at left back and Thomas at centre back, kept UW Cardiff at bay, before eventually the home side's centre forward picked up a loose ball in the South Pembs. circle to level the score.

It took just four minutes for South Pembs. to restore the lead, with Smith finishing off some well-worked midfield play, which began in the heart of defence with a superb tackle from sweeper Mosely.

South Pembs. dominated play up to half-time, with Rob Woods making countless runs down the right-hand side. This left holes in the students' defence which the midfield of Bernie Wheeler, Tim Lounds and Dave Hanniford were able to capitalise on.

After continued pressure, a move down the right, started by right back Andy Steer, saw South Pembs. awarded a penalty corner which was excellently finished off by Smith to bring the half-time score to 3-1.

At the restart, South Pembs. looked for the goal that would put the game beyond Cardiff.

The South Pembs. defence and midfield worked tirelessly to put Cardiff under pressure when they had the ball. Teamwork and commitment produced opportunities for the forwards to create the chances on goal.

First Kendrick found the net, latching onto a through ball from Tim Lounds. However, the resilient students managed to produce a second goal, with their centre forward again picking up a loose ball at the top of the South Pembs. circle.

South Pembs. continued to spread the ball around the pitch, with Irving and Hanniford linking well down the left and Stear and Woods down the right, setting up further penalty corners which were converted with training ground short corner routines, giving Smith two further goals.

Kendrick rounded off the scoring four minutes from time with a move involving Nigel Thomas breaking through the midfield.

Team: D. Miller, S. Mosely, S. Irving, A. Stear, N. Thomas, B. Wheeler (capt.), R. Woods, D. Hanniford, T. Lounds, S. Kendrick, J. Smith. Umpire - Jane Wheeler.

South Pembs. 2nd XI v UW Cardiff was called off late on Friday evening.

Next week's fixtures: South Pembs. 1st XI are away to UW Swansea, while South Pembs. 2nd XI entertain Bridgend at home, 2 pm start at Pembroke Sports Centre.