Hereford Veterans bowed out of the English Hockey Association's Veterans' Cup at the quarter-finals stage after an 8-1 defeat against holders St Albans.

The city club were swiftly ripped apart by a rampant St Albans who established a five-goal lead inside the opening 22 minutes.

To their credit, Hereford continued to battle hard and Steve Alderton set up a chance for David Nicholls who reduced the deficit four minutes before the interval.

However, the impressive home team restored their five-goal advantage from a penalty on the stroke of half-time and added two more goals in a more evenly contested second period.

Hereford were unlucky not to score a second goal, however, when Alderton's effort entered the net just after the referee had blown for a penalty corner.

The following day, Hereford Veterans bounced back from defeat to record a 3-2 home win over county rivals Ross, thanks to a Bill Housden brace and a goal from Stuart Skyrme.

Hereford completed their Gerrard West of England and South Wales League Premier Division 3 campaign with a disappointing 4-0 home reverse against league champions Yate.

Hereford produced a luck-lustre display as their dismal run of form continued.

A brace each from Richard Brown and Jonathan Mundy and a maiden goal from Nick Ford ensured Hereford 4th rounded off their first season in North East Division 8 with a comfortable 5-2 home victory over Swindon 4th.

Dominant midfield displays from man-of-the-match Alistair Owen, Tom Jackson and Mundy paved the way for Hereford's success.