READING Wildcats finished the first half of the season with a thrilling 8-7 victory at Surrey rivals Walcountian Blues.

In a match that was tight the whole way through, the Reading men took an early lead as former Blues and England star Matt Birkett punished his old club, driving to the cage and rifling the ball past the stunned keeper.

Blues fought back to lead 3-2 at the end of the first quarter, but a stunning second quarter saw Birkett grab another two, before a calamitous error from the opposition keeper allowed Jack McClelland to get on the score sheet, scooping up the loose ball and depositing it in the empty net.

This turnaround meant Wildcats took a 5-4 half-time lead, and with both teams trading goals in the second half, Reading ran out victorious.

Birkett added a fourth himself with Zach Rooney scoring twice and Paul Milner also on target for the visitors.

Wildcats 2nds (pictured above) battled hard but were beaten 10-5 by East Division Two leaders Epsom Eagles.

Chris Murray – who came back from a two-year absence – netted twice, with Miles Ledbetter also impressing.