HOCKEY: WEST Wilts rattled the Tigers' cage, but last year's semi-finalists had just enough skill and experience to make it through to the last 16.

In a classic game of contrasting styles, the visitors seemed taken aback by West Wilts' hard hitting, fast breaking approach. They were certainly unsettled by the close marking and hard working defence which allowed them little time and space to demonstrate their typically Asian style of high quality ball control and dribbling skills.

The pace of David Cooper and Clive Warren up front was an early cause of concern to a rather slow and square Tigers defence, and this was the source of West Wilts' opening goal, Clive Warren slotting home a rebound from the keeper's pads. Barford equalised with a delicate close range deflection, but before half time West Wilts took the lead for a second time, Richard Robson firing home a short corner strike following another rapid break.

In a ten minute spell in the middle of the period Barford added three goals to move into what should have been a comfortable lead for them.

A penalty stroke, coolly converted by Steve Houghton, narrowed the gap to a single goal but the Tigers hung on by their claws, just about deserving the win.