WILLIAM Birch was the Basingstoke under-12 Bison’s hat-trick hero as they beat visiting Slough 6-2.

As well as Birch’s treble, there was also a brace for Travis Penny, while Jared Angel scored the other goal.

Birch also scored twice as the young Herd lost 4-2 to visiting Bracknell, with Rory Edwards, Penny and Sophie Halstead picking up assists.

The week before, the under-12 Bison lost out in a thriller, 6-5 at home to Chelmsford.

Emily Harris scored the young Herd’s only goal of the first period as they trailed 2-1 at the first break.

Oliver Waites levelled for the hosts, assisted by Lucy Beal, but Chelmsford re-took the lead before Kody Sewell tied things up by the second buzzer.

The Essex side drew first blood in the final session, but Sewell’s second made it 4-4.

Chelmsford edged in front again, but this time Waites scored, assisted by Penny, to tie the game again.

The visitors won the game with a goal in the final minute.

The under-12s wrap up their league campaign with a home game against Guildford on Saturday (4.40pm).

In Lee Valley, the under-16 Bison won a thriller 3-2.

Basingstoke Bison Ladies lost 5-2 to visiting Chelmsford Cobras. Julia Burns and Leah Trueman scored the home side’s goals.

The Ladies entertain Oxford on Sunday (face-off 6.30pm).