LEOMINSTER came unstuck against a Firebrands 2nd side who looked a lot stronger than their league position shows.

The north Herefordshire side played good, patient hockey in the Davis Wood Hockey League Conference North encounter at Bridge Street Sports Centre, but failed to create too many chances in the first half.

They were made to pay when their Bristol opponents took a two-goal half-time lead.

Leominster pushed hard in the second half and dominated play.

The Firebrands goalkeeper made a number of decent saves, but could do nothing to stop Matt Duggan's powerful shot.

Leominster created more chances in an attempt to level the game, but found themselves 3-1 down after Firebrands scored from a penalty corner.

The away side then grabbed a fourth goal from a difficult angle.

In The Marches 1, Leominster 2nd beat Lansdown 2nd 5-3, while Hereford 2nd hammered bottom side Cheltenham 5th 5-1.

Ross-on-Wye drew 2-2 with Gwent in De Cymru and The Marches 2, but struggling Ross 2nd went down 5-1 at Cheltenham 6th.

Both Hereford and Leominster had wins in West Clubs' Women's Hockey League.

Hereford beat bottom club Bretforton 3-2 in Premier Division 2A, while Leominster hammered Stroud 5-1 in Conference North.

Hereford 2nd played well against league leaders Blockley in Severn Division 1, but went down 2-0.

Coach Sue Moody said her team showed how much they have improved this season, with their team work, communication and effort being excellent.

In the same league, Colwall & Malvern thrashed Shipton Oliffe 5-0 to move up to sixth place in the division.

Colwall's second team were hammered 10-0 at Severn Division 3 leaders Newent 3rd.

Elsewhere, Ross lost 2-0 to Cheltenham 4th in Severn Division 2.

In the South Wales Hockey League Premier 2, Presteigne drew 1-1 with Whitchurch Saints.

Presteigne opened the scoring in the first half thanks to Jess Goodwin following an excellent through ball from Charlie Morris.

But the visitors upped their game after the break and quickly levelled the game.

Both sides then had chances to score and played some good, entertaining hockey.

But neither team could break the deadlock and had to settle for a point,

Presteigne's player of the match went to Sian Bull for her superb display in midfield.

Kington lost 3-1 to Barry in the same league.