HEREFORD Hockey Club started life in Conference North of the GoCrea8 League with a 3-1 defeat to Firebrands 2nd.

Firebrands took the lead midway through the first half when Will Steel was unable to stop a penalty corner shot towards a post.

Hereford replied soon afterwards when great work from Steve Alderton set up las season's top scorer Stewart Goodarzi to open his account for this campaign.

But Firebrands enjoyed most of the possession in the second half and created a number of chances.

Hereford's defence and goalkeeper Jim Wallis managed to keep them at bay, but were finally breached two minutes from time when a shot deflected into the corner of the goal.

The home side pushed for an equaliser but were caught out at the back and Firebrands added a third goal with the last hit of the game.

Leominster's scheduled home game against Lydney was postponed after the away side were unable to field a full side.

In The Marches 1, Hereford 2nd went down 3-1 to Abergavenny, but Ross-on-Wye beat Cardiff & Metropolitan 5th in De Cymru and The Marches 2.

There was also a win for Ross 2nd, who came away from Winchcombe with a 5-3 win in The Marches 2.

In the West Club's Women's League, Hereford succumbed to a 4-3 away defeat at Swindon in Premier Division 2A, while Leominster were hammered 7-1 at BAC in the North Division. In Severn Division 1, Hereford 2nd lost 4-0 at home to Bourton & Sherborne.

The first half was a closely fought affair with chances at both ends, but Hereford went into the break 1-0 down after Bourton scored a scrappy goal.

Goalkeeper Mel Radnor also injured her knee, so Hereford played without an active keeper in the second half.

Bourton took full advantage, scoring three unanswered goals.

Hereford are starting the new season with a lot of new players, with youngsters Kelly Higgins and Ellie Westoby both working hared.

The Hereford player of the match was Ally Taft.

In Severn Division 3, Colwall & Malvern 2nd went down to a 1-0 home defeat to Lansdown 3rd.

In South Wales League Premier 2, Presteigne came from 4-1 down to beat Bridgend 5-4.

Bridgend opened the scoring early in the game following a rebound after Presteigne goalkeeper Sophie Durban saved a shot from a penalty corner.

Presteigne re-grouped though and equalised thanks to a goal from experienced player Rita Tomkins.

But Bridgend upped their game and scored three unanswered goals before Sioned Price pulled a goal back before half-time.

Jess Goodwin then reduced the deficit to just one goal after the break before Price scored again to make it 4-4.

Goodwin then got her second goal of the game to put her side in the lead for the first time and Presteigne were able to hold on to the win.

Kington, meanwhile, who were relegated from Premier 2 last season, lost 2-1 to Gowerton in Division 1.