“When I saw you, I believed it was a sign... that something new can come into this world.”

What do you get if you cross Star Wars, Flash Gordon and Avatar?

Well, John Carter would be one answer and it’s easy to see the influences of these sci-fi epics in this new big budget otherworld opus.

The thing is John Carter’s story was first written in the early 1900s by Tarzan creater Edgar Rice Burroughs and the influences of his books can be seen in many sci-fi films down the years, including the aforementioned.

So John Carter – played by Taylor ‘soon to be seen in Battleship’ Kitsch – finally hits the big screen, a bit late to his own party but eager to please.

Carter is a cavalryman from our little part of the universe, mysteriously transported to Mars where he becomes a pivotal element in a civil war.

The plot is join the dots goodies versus baddies, princess in peril, lovable ‘doglike’ creature that becomes Carter’s sidekick, alien race that adopt Carter, who he will call on to fight for the right side?

It’s pick and mix sci-fi bingo all the way, even if this is a look at the original source, but at least director Andrew ‘Finding Nemo’ Stanton manages to inject the macho nonsense with some heart.

Disney has stumped up the cash for this and the special effects are suitably impressive.

As a result this a decent enough slice of heroic spectacle pumped up with some tasty action sequences.

Kitsch is pretty convincing in the lead role, looking for all the world like a Conan-lite hero, handy with a sword and blessed with the ability to pull off Hulk-scale jumps due to the gravity imbalance.

Lynn Collins is Carter’s love interest, the Martian Princess ‘Dejah Thoris, and she looks the part in some skimpy Princess Leia alike outfits.

The rest of the cast are good, too, making full use of their licence to over act.

That means we get Willem Dafoe as Tars Tarkas and Samantha Morton as Sola from the four armed green skinned aliens camp, along with Mark Strong as the main villain of piece who rejoices with the marvellous name of Matai Shang.

John Carter isn’t the classic that it would have been if it had been made before George Lucas conjured up the original Star Wars stories, but it offers solid entertainment for anyone who likes their action space bound and who isn’t put off by odd alien names.

In space nobody can hear you scream: ‘Haven’t I seen this somewhere before?’

Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division: Weymouth 0-1 Hemel Hempstead Town

Molten Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division: Hanwell Town 1-0 Tring Athletic, Leverstock Green 1-3 Berkhamsted

MSSML Division Two: Aston Clinton 6-0 Kent Athletic, Old Bradwell United 2-1 Pitstone & Ivinghoe, Tring Corinthians 1-5 Mursley United

MSSML Reserve Division One: Kings Langley Reserves 2-1 Royston Town Reserves

Hemel Town Ladies 1 Eastbourne Ladies 0

A HARD fought Tudors victory over top of the table Eastbourne moved them up to second spot in the league.

After last week’s away win at Wimbledon, Hemel were full of confidence and made a bright start to the game in glorious playing conditions.

The first chance for the hosts arrived after 20 minutes as a terrific free-kick from Kayleigh Baker was met by an equally impressive save from the Eastbourne keeper.

The chances continued to arrive for Hemel and, minutes later, Suzy Read was through on goal but struck her effort straight at the visitors’ stopper.

Eastbourne, though, are top for a reason and their constant attacks at the other end kept Hemel’s defence busy for most of the first half.

The restart saw Eastbourne continue to press forward and camp in the Hemel half, but a combination of top defending and goalkeeping from Ruth Gorin kept them out.

It wasn’t until three minutes from the end that the decisive goal finally arrived.

A Charlene Turturici through-ball found Mickey Taylor, and the hat-trick hero from the week before fired home from 30 yards, leaving the Eastbourne keeper helpless.

Next up for the Tudors is another tough home game, at home to third-placed Chichester.

Chichester will be looking to regain second spot from the Tudors.

A WOMAN was taken to hospital after a car collision during rush hour.

Three vehicles were involved in the incident, near where Corner Hall meets Two Waters Way in Hemel Hempstead just before 9am this morning.

Ambulance service spokesman Gary Sanderson said: “A woman received slight injuries and, following treatment at the scene, she was taken to Watford General Hospital for further care.”

The vehicles involved were a black BMW convertible, a silver Mitsubishi Shogun estate and a Vauxhall Combo van.

The Gazette has teamed up with the Riverside Shopping Centre to launch a new Community Sports Awards scheme marking Olympic year – with £1,000 up for grabs for two lucky winners.

Click on {http://www.premevents.co.uk/gazette_sports.asp|Community Sports Awards|Community Sports Awards} for full details.

A CAT-OWNER is searching for her missing moggy, believing it to be stolen.

Blue/grey Marine Coon Tobias was last seen by its owner at her home in Ravens Lane, Berkhamsted, on Monday, February 27.

Herts Police spokesman Sarah Spence said: “They are quite expensive cats and it is unusual for it to have been gone for so long.”

Tobias was reported missing last Wednesday.

Call police on non-emergency number 101.

You do not have to give a name to be entitled to a cash reward.

ASHLYNS School in Berkhamsted buzzed with activity as 31 teams from 11 local schools demonstrated their design and building skills.

Students got their thinking caps on for the annual Technology Tournament organised by the Rotary clubs of Hemel Hempstead and Berkhamsted Bulbourne.

Each team consisted of four students and there were foundation, intermediate and advanced levels for the challenge.

The task for each team was to construct a coin sorter that would separate a range of loose coins, and in some situations the value of the coins needed to be determined.

For the full story pick up a copy of this week’s Gazette, out on Wednesday.

WATER firms have announced they will be introducing hosepipe bans on domestic customers from Thursday, April 5.

Anglian Water, Thames Water, Southern Water, Veolia Central Water, South East Water, Veolia South East and Sutton and East Surrey Water are taking the action following the driest 18 month period in more than a century.

>For the full report see this week’s Gazette, out on Wednesday.

HEMEL Storm secured two crucial away wins in as many days as they saw off Mansfield Giants and high-flying Glamorgan Gladiators.

The victories move Storm into second place in the league with three games left to play.

The Hemel side face London Westside in a double-header at the weekend, and two wins would mean that their last game of the season, away to league leaders Northumbria, would be the title decider.

And in what is only the club’s second season, Storm need just one win from their last three games to gain automatic promotion to National League Division One.

Hemel coach Dave Titmuss said: “I think hustle and mental toughness are talents and we showed both those qualities over the whole weekend – we didn’t take a single possession off in either game.

“Our spirit and resolve are terrific and it showed by the way we won both games in the fourth quarter when the result was on the line. I’m really proud of our guys.”

On Saturday, after trailing by two points at half-time, Storm relied on the inside play of Tom Frederick and the relentless efforts of Drew Spinks and captain Simon Kearney to take a narrow 67-63 lead into the final period.

When Giants responded by regaining the lead, Hemel’s dynamic guard Bode Adeluola hit back-to-back three-pointers to give the visitors a lead they never surrendered on their way to an 84-75 victory.

Titmuss praised Mansfield’s performance, saying: “If earlier in the season the Giants had the squad that they have now recruited then there is no question in my mind that they would be a top four team. They were very tough offensively and pushed us the whole game.”

Sunday’s match, as expected, was a physical battle against a Welsh team that relies on disrupting opponents with aggressive play.

But Storm were not intimidated and executed their game plan of restricting the league’s leading scorer, American Gregg Hernandez, by denying him the ball with a variety of combination defences.

“I think Hernandez is the best and most efficient player in the league by a long way,” said Titmuss. “He’s averaging 35 points a game so to hold him to 17 points was an outstanding team effort.

“We also kept Gladiators to a season’s low 67 points, which is 22 below their average. No other team has done either of those things”.

Storm had the edge at 58-55 going into the fourth quarter and Kearney, Frederick and Joe Perrera kept the scoreboard ticking over while Spinks and Frederick combined to restrict Hernandez to just four points in the period.

Spinks eventually sealed the 77-67 Hemel victory from the free-throw line.

airport: A public meeting will be held to discuss the expansion of Luton Airport.

Tring Town Council is arranging the gathering at the Community Centre at 7.30pm at Silk Mill Way, Tring, on Friday, March 23.

Michael Nidd, secretary of the London Luton Airport Town & VIllages Communities Committee will give a presentation about the proposed expansion.

Find out about the plans at www.futureluton.co.uk

Hunkering down in Devon, as the weather takes a turn for the worst, Jeremy Gates discovers the best ways to keep warm on a British mini-break.

It was the first time I had ever sat in an outdoor hot tub, supported by a raft of bubbles, and listened to a chorus of happy moos from cows munching their breakfast across the other side of the valley.

As the sunlight slowly pierced the autumnal mists in Devon’s South Hams district, I could see some animals craftily using a back leg to prop themselves up on the hillside.

After a swim in the largest (certainly the warmest) indoor pool I have had entirely to myself, I strolled back to my barn-style holiday home for breakfast. On my huge TV screen, business reports flashed in from London, New York and Tokyo.

I knew self-catering holidays in Britain had gone up in the world. But I hadn’t realised just how luxurious they had become until the sat-nav drew us to the near-deserted village of East Allington, and then down a single track road for a mile as we searched for a sign in high hedges on either side.

Flear’s complex of nine cottages and three lodges sit in the centre of a 45-acre estate in the middle of nowhere. After dark, you need a torch to wander from your front door.

The facilities are so good, however, that guests have to sign in visitors who drop in for the day. Beside the pool is a large indoor play area, including trampoline, climbing frames, wendy house and indoor footy.

For older children and creaky dads, an outdoor play area lower down the hillside includes a hard tennis court, three holes of pitch and putt, and space beside a babbling country stream where you can kick a ball around until the sun goes down.

Proper golfers get a 25% discount on 18-hole or nine hole golf courses at nearby Dartmouth Golf & Country Club.

Orchard Lodge, our base for the week, boasts a Gold Award from tourism body Enjoy England, and is set on slope with a massive open-plan oak-beamed living area above and sleeping quarters downstairs.

Each of three bedrooms has its own bathroom, and the master bedroom sports a ‘love shower’ which sprays at interesting angles. Rural holidays have moved on a bit since Swallows And Amazons.

I could have passed days happily in front of the open log fire with some good books.

In the event, it was showery, rather than wet. Our first stop was the beach, barely five miles away along muddy country lanes. Blackpool Sands, a wide, open beach flanked by high trees on steep, wooded cliffs, must look terrific under a hot sun.

This is also a handy spot to join the South West Coastal Path, great for walkers. My son took his time to enthuse about a yomp along Start Bay and beyond a hamlet of whitewashed homes called Torcross, where the fish and chip shop is firmly endorsed by Flear guests.

Nearly as famous is Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve almost alongside, where the marshes, reed beds and woodland provide a natural magnet for numerous species of birds, mammals, butterflies and moths.

Beyond there, we were buffeted by coastal breezes along Slapton Sands, beneath the Stars and Stripes which mark a massacre here in 1944. When German E-boats attacked US infantry divisions rehearsing for the Normandy landings, more than 600 men were lost in the darkness.

Some days, it was a bit chilly to walk, so what could be better than a visit to Totnes, beloved among elderly hippies and anybody else determined to escape modern Britain?

Did Mary Portas pass this way when she tried to find a future for Britain’s high streets? Totnes embraces visitors, its shops stuffed with fine local foods, including delicious breads and cheeses made locally, and gleaming fresh fruit and veg.

There’s mountains of cheap clothing in the market square, bookshops flogging nearly new titles in untidy heaps for a pound or two, and lectures on fighting globalisation or becoming a vegan.

For lunch, the granary bread sandwich in The Brioche was so crammed with crayfish, rocket and parmesan that my wife and I had to share it.

It helps, of course, that Totnes was probably designed by John of Gaunt rather than Tesco, on a gradient which gets steeper after you pass beneath the splendid medieval arch. The higher you climb, beyond the Norman castle, the wackier the shops and shopkeepers become.

Next day, the drizzle was a bit harder. We went west, to the Georgian town of Modbury and then to Bigbury-on-Sea, where the tide rolls back each day to reveal a sandy causeway leading to Burgh Island and an award-winning art deco hotel where Edward VII and Mrs Simpson might have stayed in its 1930s heyday.

Today, the hotel gates are barred to any visitor who hasn’t booked. You’d better settle for a pint and pie in The Pilchard Inn next door, before dashing back to the mainland without getting your feet wet.

Wherever you go in this corner of Devon the food is terrific, but in Dartmouth, a self-proclaimed gourmet town, your credit card must be in fine fettle.

One evening, we drove down the hill into the town, while the lights twinkled on the steep hillside of Kingswear across the river, to grab the last table at The Seahorse, famous for the roasted monkfish signature dish by celebrity chef Mitch Tonks.

Having flirted with telly fame and running a public company, Mitch has gone back to basics: buying his fish each morning on the quayside at Brixham and using a charcoal base to roast it at searing temperatures.

No expense was spared, however, on the design decor which matches West End standards, so bills can top £50 per head. But that obviously doesn’t worry diners, because this place has an atmosphere of warmth and friendliness.

Last year, Mitch added a cheaper gaff next door: Rockfish. Designed to resemble a beach hut inside, it offers fish and chip lunches in cardboard containers which cost about £50 for three, including drinks. Kids crayon happily on paper tablecloths, and young mums look ecstatic.

Luckily the weather cleared just in time for us to tackle the day trip voted one of Britain’s best.

It’s the brainwave of Dartmouth Steam Railway, which took on the line between Kingswear and Paignton when British Rail gave up in the 1960s, and today carries more than 200,000 passengers a year.

The line itself, climbing the hillside to give panoramic views through the trees across the River Dart, was built by the one-and-only Isambard Kingdom Brunel and the engine gasps a shriek of relief when it gets to the peak.

Since the 1990s, this train ride has been teamed, on a family day out ticket, with an open top bus ride between Paignton and Totnes and a riverboat journey on the Dart from Totnes back to Kingswear.

All services run to a timetable, so you make the journey as fast or as slowly as you like.

The boat ride back along the Dart to Kingswear in the evening light, past the Dimbleby family pub in Dittisham and Agatha Christie’s former home high on the hill, and blessed with an hilarious commentary by Johnny Harris, convinced me the glorious South Hams merits an early return visit.

Key facts - South Devon

:: Best for: Walking, boating, exploring history and fine dining, with gastropubs keen to give restaurants a run for their money.

:: Time to go: Year round.

:: Don’t miss: The great day out by train, bus and riverboat linking Dartmouth, Paignton and Totnes.

:: Need to know: Most popular centres, include Salcombe and Dartmouth, operate park and ride to handle the hordes during peak season.

:: Don’t forget: Walking shoes, and waterproofs for sudden downpours.

Travel facts

Jeremy Gates was a guest of Premier Cottages, which currently offers seven nights’ self-catering breaks at Flear Cottages, East Allington, South Devon from £373. Orchard Cottage from £1058, March prices.

Flear Country Cottages reservations: 01548 521227 and www.premiercottages.co.uk

Flear belongs to Premier Cottages, which has nearly 1,000 properties with four/five star facilities from the Channel Islands and Isles of Scilly to Angus hills of Scotland.

Visit South Devon for Totnes, Teignbridge, Salcombe, Dartmouth, South Hams - a free guide is available on 01803 864894 or by email to enquiries@visitsouthdevon.co.uk

Dartmouth Steam Railway & River Boat Co (01803 555872/www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk).

Walks Along The South West Coast Path: Dartmoor To Plymouth by Ruth Luckhurst (£4.95, Coastal Publishing).

Rough Guide To Devon & Cornwall (£9.99).

A new motorcycle dealership will open in Hemel Hempstead on March 22 under the Hertfordshire Triumph banner.

Operated by well-established local dealer group Palmers, the new outlet is aiming to bring best-in-class levels of customer service to riders in the county, including offering Sunday opening as standard, something it believes is a first for motorcycle retailers in the region.

The purpose-built showroom on Redbourn Road has been designed to show off the complete range of Triumph bikes, accessories and clothing, which includes innovations such as the new light jacket (which illuminates the rider at night) and the new Steve McQueen inspired range of jackets and t-shirts.

Hertfordshire Triumph is also committed to offering a comprehensive range of Triumph bikes for test rides including classics such as the iconic Bonneville, cruisers such as the award-winning Thunderbird Storm, right through the range to the latest Tiger 800, Speed Triple R and the new 1200cc Explorer, which is set to take the adventure bike market by storm.

General manager of Hertfordshire Triumph Rob Barnes said: “We are absolutely delighted to have commenced this relationship with Triumph and are confident that we can offer a totally service-orientated experience.

“Triumph is a strong iconic British brand that has grown its market share and reputation to become the leading motorcycle marque in the UK and across the globe.

“We want to be a part of that success by offering the complete rider experience to customers in the Hertfordshire area.”

The official launch next Thursday, March 22, will see Hertfordshire Triumph unveiling the brand new 1200cc Tiger Explorer, which has already generated rave reviews in the motorcycling press and national media alike.

The grand opening will take place at 6.30pm and will include refreshments and a quiz for customers, who could win a range of Triumph branded accessories and clothing.

Pictured are Danny Palmer and Rob Barnes, of Hemel Hempstead dealer Palmers, at the launch of the new Triumph Explorer in Malaga.

A HEADTEACHER will reward his school’s charity efforts by buying them a new games console.

Allan Lowe was so impressed with the pupils’ fundraising – which included using a Nintendo Wii to improve fitness – that he has decided to keep one at Dundale School permanently.

He said: “It keeps them fit and is fun for them as well.”

The children were visited by NSPCC representatives on Friday to give them certificates for the work they did last month.

Mr Lowe said: “As part of our work in the community, we invited the charity to work with the children to raise fitness with the idea it would be nice to tie that into a leap year theme, so we had a leapathon.”

The pupils raised around £3,200 for the cause.

Mr Lowe added: “I have been informed by the NSPCC that our 76 per cent participation rate was higher than most other schools in Herts.

“It was an excellent uptake by the children for that and we are really happy.”

Meanwhile, Bishop Wood School held a sponsored Olympics workout on Wednesday, February 29.

They have so far raised £2,400 but more money is coming in.

NSPCC schools co-ordinator for Herts Sarah Lambley said: “It is just great that young people want to help out other young people and hopefully recognise the vital work of ChildLine.

“I’m just delighted both schools have raised a tremendous amount of money and should be really proud of themselves.”

A FOOTBALL club has paid tribute to its ‘longest-serving’ chairman.

William Miller, known as Bill, who served as Tring Athletic chairman from 1974 until 1983, died aged 92 on Saturday, February 11.

The club’s Life Vice Chairman Ralph Griffiths said: “Bill was one of those who have contributed to the club, kept it going and got it to where it is now.

“He helped with teas, the laundry and chipped in a few bob to keep the club going.

“Without people like him we wouldn’t be where we are now.”

Bill was born in Longfield Road, a stone’s throw from the club’s former ground at Miswell Lane in Tring.

Club records show Bill was probably the longest-serving chairman at the club. He was married to his wife Agnes, who died 16 years ago, and leaves behind his son Ian, who was club captain.

Ralph added: “Many will not be aware of the struggles the club went through to get where we are now.”

BURGLARS have been targeting pet-owners’ cat flaps to try and steal cars

An occupant at Park Road in Tring woke before 6am last Wednesday morning to the sound of a car alarm.

Thieves are believed to have opened a side gate and then used barbecue tongs through the cat flat to pull down the door handle of a UPVC door.

Stolen keys were also left in the ignition of a BMW on a driveway at Tree Hanger Close, Tring, just before 1am on Thursday, after thieves were disturbed and left behind stolen Vodka.

They are believed to have entered using rear garden gates, before again targeting a cat flap.

Herts Police spokesman Olivia Finucane said: “When they do the cat flap it is usually for high-value vehicles.

“That has been the trend in the past.”

Crimes can be reported to the police on non-emergency number 101.

TWO crooks stole groceries, booze and about £80 worth of petrol from a service station.

They targeted the Esso Hall Park Service Station in London Road, Berkhamsted, at about 6.15pm on Wednesday, February 29.

While one bought cigarettes inside, the other (pictured) filled a basket with cans of beer and groceries and then walked out without paying for them.

They drove off without paying for the petrol in a silver hatchback.

Sgt Peter Huffer said: “Petrol service stations in Berkhamsted have good quality CCTV as a crime-prevention measure.

“We need to establish whether the non-payment in this case was intentional or otherwise.

“We would urge the man to contact us to clarify the matter.”

Anyone who recognises the man pictured is asked to contact Herts Police via the non-emergency number 101 quoting crime reference number D2/12/169.

Alternatively, phone the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Leverstock Green 1 Berkhamsted 3

FORMER Leverstock Green boss Mick Vipond came back to haunt his old side as Berkhamsted picked up a 3-1 win at Pancake Lane.

To rub salt in the wounds for Levy, it was three ex-Green players who did the damage for the Comrades – with Dale Sears, Frankie Jowle and Matt Wardle all finding the net.

The game hinged on a controversial 73rd minute penalty decision when, with the scores locked at 1-1, Berko were given the chance to take the lead from the spot.

Josh Chamberlain went down in the area under a challenge from Dan Griggs, and the Green players and management were left incensed when the referee awarded a penalty which Jowle duly converted.

From then on it was an uphill struggle for Levy, and Berko wrapped up the win with a third goal late on.

To make things worse for Green, Berko’s victory sees them leapfrog Levy into eighth place in the table.

Both sides went into the game on the back of poor runs of form, and the first half started in a manner befitting of two sides low on confidence.

Sears headed over for Berko after 10 minutes, before Chamberlain shot wide 11 minutes later.

However it was Levy who had the best chance of the half as former Premier League striker Kevin Gallen wasted a glorious opportunity after 38 minutes.

A cross from Bekim Culaj found Gallen in front of goal, but his effort was kept out by a combination of Berko keeper Ed Farmer and a covering defender.

After a goalless first half, Levy started the second half brightly, and Louis Austin – returning from a long injury lay-off – squared for Gallen but again the former QPR man could not find the net.

And Green were made to pay for their profligacy soon afterwards as Sears headed Berko into a 55th minute lead.

Levy hit back soon afterwards as Austin fed Griggs to fire home an equaliser, but Green were left furious minutes later after the visitors were awarded a penalty which Jowle dispatched to regain the Comrades’ lead.

Green looked for an equaliser, but the visitors wrapped up the win as Wardle made it 3-1 in stoppage time.

Hanwell Town 1 Tring Athletic 0

TRING Athletic went down 1-0 to struggling Hanwell Town as they suffered a rare off-day away from home.

After a fairly even first half, Athletic were outplayed after the break by a team who, despite their lowly league position, have lost just one of their previous six games following the appointment of a new management team and the introduction of new players.

The hosts started the game positively with strikers Myles Stephenson and Stefan Nor looking lively.

But Tring came back strongly and enjoyed a good spell of possession, with Sam Mitchell picking out skipper Graham Hall who headed over under pressure.

Athletic were enjoying their best spell of the game and Paul Jeffrey’s cross found Chris Salmon who headed over.

A few minutes later the ball was cleared to Hall but he shot well wide, before Vinnie Iannone saw his lob drift wide of an empty net.

But Hanwell came back into it as the half progressed and both Stephenson and Nor had chances to score before the interval

And the hosts took hold of the game after half-time as they took an early lead.

Two minutes after the restart, Stephenson tore through the Tring defence and slammed a shot past Athletic keeper Nick Law.

Within two minutes, Stephenson and Nor both spurned opportunities to add to their lead, before Arafat Kabuye also fired wide.

Tring were struggling to get their game going and a mis-placed pass presented Dean Worman with a shooting chance, but again the home side were let down by wayward finishing.

Not much was going right for Athletic until Graham Hall forced his way through the home defence but was foiled by a point blank save from the keeper.

In an attempt to force an equaliser, Tring boss Julian Robinson brought on Martin Griggs and Mickey Swaysland to form a three-pronged attack, but despite a big effort by the players, Athletic made little impression on the Hanwell defence.

The nearest the visitors came to a goal was three minutes into added time, when Mickey Swaysland headed a cross wide at the far post.

Weymouth 0 Hemel Hempstead Town 1

MARK Eaton recorded his first victory as Hemel manager as the Tudors returned from Weymouth with a crucial three points.

After a midweek capitulation at home to Evesham, the pressure was on Town to take something from Saturday’s game, and Rob Haworth’s late header handed them all three points..

The Tudors are still eight points adrift of safety, but the victory gives them hope of launching an end-of-season charge to avoid relegation.

“The players showed a lot of character to get over Tuesday night’s result,” said Eaton. “Weymouth is a really difficult place to go and they have a big, hostile crowd.

“The really important thing for me was that we showed we’ve got the stomach for the fight.”

Both sides had chances in the first half on Saturday, with the best of the Tudors’ opportunities falling to Nabil Shariff and Ross Lafayette.

At the other end, Town keeper Ross Kitteridge had to be alert as Weymouth pressed in search of the opener.

Chances were few and far between after half-time as the game became scrappy, but a rare moment of quality was enough to secure the points for Town.

With 84 minutes on the clock, Dave Pearce broke down the left and crossed expertly for Haworth to head home and earn the vital win for his side.

And Tudors boss Eaton is hoping the win will be a turning point in his side’s fight against the drop.

“It really is 10 cup finals for us from now until the end of the season,” he said.

“We’ve just got to focus on our own points target and we’ve got a tally that we want to meet.

“No-one at the club wants to get relegated, especially me.”

GREYHOUND and lurcher-owners will be able to take their pooches on a new organised walk.

Charity Greyhound Walks will meet on Chipperfield Common at 9.45am on Sunday.

Jan Taylor, from the charity’s Hertfordshire branch, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be holding our first walk in Chipperfield this weekend. We regularly hold walks in other parts of Hertfordshire that have proved to be very popular, attracting anywhere between 35 and 70 dogs and their owners. It is quite a sight to see so many well-behaved hounds walking out together.

“We have several regular walkers who live very close to Chipperfield so we look forward to seeing them along with others who travel from further afield.

“But we will be especially pleased to welcome any local people who own greyhounds or lurchers or who would like to find out more about these breeds.

“Greyhounds and lurchers are wonderful dogs, they make great pets and whilst the walks are a social occasion for the dogs and owners alike and more importantly they are a great way to raise awareness of how many greyhounds need re-homing once their racing days are over.”

Find out more by calling Jan on 01923 262565 or visit www.greyhoundwalks.co.uk