Barnes Hockey Club's men's side followed in their women's team’s footsteps by going top of their league on Saturday.

An extraordinary 6-5 win away at West Hampstead earned them the top spot in the South Premier League Division 2, when Sittingbourne’s crack outfit, Gore Court, slipped up at nearby Ashford.

Despite dominating possession in the opening quarter, Barnes found themselves two down and facing an uphill struggle. Time after time the Lonsdale Road club failed to retain possession in attack, in contrast to slick approach play and finishing from the North Londoners.

After strengthening the midfield, Barnes managed to string more passes together and found a way back into the game when Danny Holmes pounced on some indecision in front of goal to stab the ball home.

After strong work from former Great Britain player Jon Wyatt down the left, Adam Boyden ended his recent goal drought with a subtle deflection, making it all square by half time.

A roller coaster second half was characterised by mistakes on both sides. Having gone ahead through a Jon Wyatt short corner and a clinically taken stroke, Barnes were pegged back by two goals from West Hampstead.

But Barnes came back again with a double of their own including another smart finish from Holmes.

Then Wyatt was sin-binned after a needless stick tackle in opposition half and Barnes were pinned in their own half.

West Hampstead capitalised when they converted a short corner to make it an astonishing 5-5.

But Barnes were not finished yet and fine work from Martin Jackson down the right resulted in the excellent Ed Cole bundling home from short range.

Barnes endured a tumultuous last five minutes, keeping out a number of short corners before the umpire blew the final whistle.

With a tough game against Eastbourne at the weekend, there's plenty of work to do before the team can put their feet up for Christmas.