Wimbledon hockey men’s skipper Ben Hawes can enjoy the MHL Premier Division Christmas break in fine fettle, after last weekend’s 4-1 defeat of Southgate.

Dons, fourth in table – seven points off the leaders but eight points clear of Reading in fifth – had suffered a first defeat in seven games two weekends ago, but goals from Declan Spencer (two), Steven Ebbers and Johnnie Kinder restored the winning mentality on Saturday.

The league action resumes on February 8 at Brooklands MU, although Dons will be fielding a team in Division One of the Indoor Championship starting in January.

Hawes said: “We wanted to win the last game before Christmas and go into the break in a positive mood.

“It is a long break, but the guys will be keeping active in training, the indoor game and some friendly games.

“Come the resumption we’ll probably have done a second pre-season.”

While the Dons England representatives are now headed towards India for the Champions Trophy, Phil Roper had to withdraw through injury.

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However, it did leave a starting berth in the Dons past two games for Spencer, who has responded with three goals.

Hawes said: “It is testament to our strength in depth that guys like Declan play and we’re still very strong.”

He added: “The league is such now that the top four are pretty settled, save for maybe one more team should results go their way.

“When the season restarts, we have to make sure we beat the teams below us and see where we are come the end of the season.”