HEREFORD Hockey Club sustained another rude awakening in Conference North of the GoCrea8 Hockey League as they went down to a 8-2 home defeat against Wotton-under-Edge.

The city side, who pipped Wotton to the De Cymru and The Marches 1 title last season, have already conceded 23 goals in their opening three matches having been thrashed 12-0 by Robinsons 2nd last time out.

And it doesn't get any easier for Hereford with a home encounter against third-placed Team Bath Buccaneers 3rd taking place this Saturday.

After Wotton opened up a 2-0 half-time lead, Hereford scored through Danny Makuruk.

But the home side tired as the game wore on, with the loss of some players through injury telling.

Hereford ended the game with only 10 fit players, which saw Wotton fire in a number of quick-fire goals.

Makuruk scored late on, but it was too little, too late.

It was better news for Leominster though, who beat Yate 3-1 to record their second successive home victory.

Up next for the north Herefordshire side is a trip to Firebrands 2nd.

Hereford's second team also sustained a thrashing, going down 9-0 to Gloucester City 3rd in The Marches 1, while in the same division, Leominster 2nd lost 4-0 to Cirencester 2nd.

And in The Marches 2, Ross-on-Wye 2nd came away with a 2-2 draw against Cheltenham 5th.

In the West Clubs' Women's Hockey League, Hereford lost 5-0 at home to Redland UWE in Premier Division 2A, while in North Division, Leominster suffered a 5-0 hammering at joint leaders Gloucester 2nd.

There was a win for Colwall & Malvern though after they overcame Lansdown 2nd in Severn Division 1, but Ross-on-Wye went down to a 2-1 home defeat against Shipton Oliffe in Severn Division 2.

Colwall's second team lost 2-0 at home to Blockley 2nd in Severn Division 3.

Meanwhile, Presteigne went down to a 5-2 home defeat against Gwent in South Wales Hockey League Premier 2.

The home side started strongly but saw themselves go 1-0 down.

However, a cross from Ellie Williams found Jess Goodwin, who make no mistake to level the game.

But it was Gwent who were next to score before they added another to take a firm 3-1 lead.

Goodwin reduced the arrears with her second goal of the game, but Gwent went on to score twice more and seal a comfortable win.

Presteigne are away to Cardiff University this Saturday before facing Penllyn in the Welsh Shield the following day.

Kington drew 0-0 against Penarth 2nd in Division 1.