SAM Stephens scored his first goal for the Basingstoke under-14 Bison, and it proved to be the game winner as they won 7-6 at Streatham.
The visitors were first to strike as man-of-the-match Elliot Lewis converted a pass from William Birch, before the home side levelled The Herd made it 2-1 as their line of under-12 forwards – Sam Hemmings-Maher, Kody Sewell and Travis Penny – combined for Hemmings-Maher to score.
The Bison were first to strike in the second session from Adam Castles, only for the London side to make it 3-2.
The Herd extended their lead to three goals as Lewis slotted in from a centre pass from Penny and then spirit-of-the-game winner Birch deflected home Oliver Bower’s shot.
Streatham kept themselves in the contest with their third goal before the second buzzer.
The Bison opened the scoring in the final session as Lewis completed his hat-trick with a shorthanded strike.
The home side then hit back with two goals in the space of 21 seconds to make it 6-5 with 10 minutes left.
The Herd doubled their advantage as Stephens netted after good work from line mates Castles and Matthew West.
Streatham set up a tense finale as they scored a powerplay goal in the final minute, but the Bison held on to extend their unbeaten run to four games.
The previous day in Basingstoke, the under-12 Bison won a thriller 3-2 against Haringey.
The visitors opened the scoring in the seventh minute, but Hemmings-Maher levelled things at 18:56.
The London side once again took the lead, but this time it was Penny who tied things up.
It was then left to Hemming-Maher to score the winner at 40:11, assisted by Harry Brewer and Penny.
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