The latest news from Stourport Hockey Club

Stourport had planned to stifle the home side's play, and for the opening minutes worked according to plan. Then, in the eighth minute, a defensive error saw the home side take the lead from a breakaway, and a further goal before half-time gave Birmingham a two-goal advantage before the break. Birmingham added a third with a reverse stick strike in the 39th minute before Stourport pulled a goal back through Munashe Nhongo in the 52nd minute. Stourport continued to battle but conceded a fourth three minutes later from a short corner.

A visit from a high-flying West Bromwich 2nd Xi side was always going to be a challenge for an under-strength men's 4th Xi side, and so it proved with Stourport losing this Midlands Division 7 South West match 1-6. It was Stourport, though, that started the stronger, coming close to opening the scoring on two attempts on goal; however, the visitors soon got into their rhythm and, despite some fine defensive work from Owen Harris and keeper Stu Peterson, were 0-2 ahead at the break, with goals in the 20th and 27th minutes. A strong West Bromwich side added a third within a minute of the restart, which proved too much for Stourport to launch a revival despite an outstanding, if not conciliatory, reverse strike from Rob Nicholls in the 43rd minute. West Bromwich replied immediately, scoring a fourth before a minute had passed, and then two further goals in the 52nd and the 59th minute to seal this 1-6 victory.

The Men's over 55's were back in action when they entertained Oxford Old Hawks, beating their visitors 4-0 on a wet Sunday afternoon, in the EH Open Men's Masters Over 55 Cup. But, for an inspired goalkeeping performance by the Old Hawks keeper, Stourport would've scored more than Tom Whites 10th minute goal before the half-time break. Stourport continued to be thwarted by the visitor's keeper in the second half but still managed to add three further goals, starting with Neil Farquharson's effort in the 45th minute and finished in the 69th minute with a goal by Martin Oates, with a goal by Tim Wood sandwiched in the middle at 50 minutes.

The ladies' 1st team secured an impressive 3-2 victory over their visitors, third-placed Cambridge City 1st Xi, in their Women's Conference Midlands match. Stourport produced a blistering start with two goals, from Sophie Thompson and Lucy Walton, in the opening five minutes, both coming from superb team moves, as Cambridge pressured the home side's goal. Stourport extended their lead early in the second quarter when Stourport's player of the match, Thompson, added her second goal. Cambridge came out determined to reduce the deficit in the second half and, in the 45th minute, pulled a goal back. Despite this, Stourport were more dangerous in the second half, creating better scoring opportunities and piling on the pressure, but Cambridge were never completely out of this match and scored a second after 50 minutes. Stourport held firm in what turned out to be a tense final quarter to claim all three points.

The men's 2nd XI endured a challenging double header at home in the Midlands Division 4 West, losing both their Saturday match against Leek and their Sunday match against Birmingham University.

In the first of the two matches, they lost 1-4, where despite playing some good hockey and creating more of the chances, Leek 2nd's were more clinical in the circle. Stourport had gone behind as early as the fifth minute but pulled a goal back through with a well-taken deflected shot by William Murray in the twentieth minute, only for the visitors to retake the lead instantly. Stourport did have further chances, Leek scored three further goals in the second half, two of which were scored ten minutes apart, and Leek secured the victory.

In Sunday's match, it was a similar story with the 2nd's losing 0-4 to Birmingham University 5th Xi, with Stourport moving the ball around well in spells and competing throughout the match. But, a lack of a cutting edge in front of goal meant Stourport were unable to gain any advantage, whilst composed finishing by Birmingham resulted in four goals, the last two of which were scored in the final ten minutes of the match.

After this demanding weekend, attention now switches to the big fixture next weekend, where Stourport will be firmly focused on avoiding being dragged into a relegation fight.

* Donates a Junior Player.

Pictures by Sara Jennings.