West Herts Hockey Club’s men’s side were beaten 3-2 by City of Peterborough in East Premier A on Saturday.

Stags pressed hard from the kick off and took an early lead as Dave Soulsby put Max Webster through and he calmly slotted home.

With match fitness slightly lacking after the winter break, Herts were unable to maintain their high tempo and allowed the home side to equalise just before the interval.

During the second period, Stags regained their momentum and showed promise, however their high pressing caused problems in defence when Peterborough counter-attacked. The home side managed to go ahead through two penalty corners but West Herts responded through Iain Gordon.

But the Stags were unable to find an equaliser and their title challenge suffered a small dent.

The ladies’ first team took on Chelmsford but conceded three goals before responding via Vicky Honour.

That gave the Stags momentum and they levelled as Sammy Clifft and Anna Coppel struck to ensure the points in the East Premier were shared.

Elsewhere, the men’s seconds were beaten 2-1 by Ipswich & East Suffolk in Division One, the Thirds completed a 3-0 win against Winchmore Hill & Enfield in Division 3SW and the Fourths lost 2-0 to Rickmansworth in Division 4SW.

The Fifths were beaten 4-0 by Letchworth Thirds in Division 5SW but the Sixths thrashed Bishop’s Stortford Fours 9-0 in Division 8SW.

In the Five Counties Premier Division, the ladies Seconds claimed a 6-2 win against Saffron Walden Seconds, West Herts Thirds beat Saffron Walden Thirds in Division One while the Fourths overcame Chiltern Seconds 3-0 in Division Three.

The ladies Fifths came out with a 5-4 victory against Hertford Fourths in Division Six.