Following a solid showing in pre-season, Wells travelled last Saturday for their opening league fixture of the season to take on an Indian Gymkhana side who had narrowly missed out on promotion last season and had recruited strongly over the Summer.

The game started with early pressure from the home side, fortunately well-managed by the Wells defence of James Beck, Harry Turner and Chris Pelham, while James Harris in the visitors’ goal had to make a couple of important and impressive saves. The pressure finally told with the hosts taking a deserved one goal lead.

The visitors started to find their feet and apply pressure on the Indian Gym, their best early chance coming following a skilful aerial from Oli Bateman across the circle to George Priestley who couldn't quite find the final finish. They did draw level from a short corner, however, a powerful drag flick from James Beck finding the net.

Having got right back into the game, Wells then continued to apply pressure, but conceded a second goal against the run of play after Indian Gym were awarded and converted a penalty stroke following a short corner. This did not fluster Wells, who continued to push forward, and some excellent link up play between Tom Butt and Ben Allberry saw the latter fire home to leave the sides level again at the interval.

The hosts upped their game in the second half, and worked two good goals to open up a 4-2 lead. Wells came back at them again and looked the side most likely to score in the final quarter, James Lester and Nathan Palmer cutting out Indian Gym’s movement forward before they were able to create goalscoring opportunities. The visitors’ ‘sustained pressure counted as Beck fired in a second short corner goal to cap a man of the match performance, but Wells could not find the crucial fourth to level the scores, with Bailey Wright going agonisingly close in the final stages.

Wells will take a lot of positives from the performance and will hope to continue and build on where they left off when they entertain the league’s early leaders Oxford University this Saturday at Tonbridge School (1.30pm).

Report from Chris Pelham