BETTER teamwork and superior fitness plus some wasted short corners from their opponents helped Jersey Masters into the second round of the England Hockey Masters Over-50s Plate on Sunday.

Up against Marden Russets of Kent a hat-trick from Nick Taylor helped the Islanders, who are sponsored by Brewin Dolphin, to a fully deserved 6-2 win at Les Quennevais.

‘It was a good, competitive game, which we really enjoyed,’ said Marden captain Nigel Bardsley after the game.

Jersey captain, Paul Masterton, added: ‘Yes, it was a good game but we made heavy weather of it, particularly at the start of the second half when we went off the boil. However, I think our skills and fitness told in the end.’