Southgate moved up to third in the Men’s Hockey League Conference East table after an emphatic 8-1 victory at City of Peterborough on Sunday.

Following a slow start, Southgate fell behind to a Joe Finding penalty corner in the 10th minute. But this stirred the visitors into life and they levelled two minutes later through Simon Walker.

A quick turnaround was completed three minutes after when Giulio Ferrini fired home emphatically from the edge of the circle, and by the 18th minute Southgate were firmly in control as Sam Mee made it 3-1.

The away side then had to be patient but after conceding several cheap turnovers following the restart Mee netted his second in the 50th minute.

Number five followed six minutes later through a John Sterlini penalty corner before captain Thaddeus Rivett netted his first goal in three seasons in the 62nd minute.

Adam Grout added the seventh before Ferrini completed his brace and a good day’s work for the visitors three minutes from time.

Southgate are now preparing for a trip to unbeaten league leaders Old Georgians in the final match before the winter break.

The table toppers have bolstered their ranks with the signing of Great Britain star Ashley Jackson, who is the leading scorer in the Dutch League and his been signed on a short-term contract.