West Herts made a disappointing start to their NHL East Conference season after a 6-2 defeat to Southgate at the New Field on Sunday.

Having run their opponents close in the EH Cup last season, there was some expectation that the Stags could make a winning start against the relegated Londoners.

Things began well for Herts as Australian debutant William Grbic netted from open play after just four minutes but the visitors hit back with Matt Guise-Brown, who scored a penalty corner.

Tim Smyth and Simeon Bird made it 3-1 at half time and second-half strikes from Sam Mee, Andy Westbrook and a second Guise-Brown goal put the game beyond the Stags, before a Terry Kynaston consolation.

The team will be looking to bounce back tomorrow as they travel to newly-promoted Harleston Magpies.

The rest of the club are still in warm-up mode but both the men’s seconds and thirds lost 4-1 to Eastcote firsts and seconds respectively.

West Herts fourths have definitely found their scoring touch.

Having won 8-4 at Aylesbury the previous week, they came from behind to draw 7-7 with Eastcote thirds.

The goals came from Joe Bowsher, who netted a hat-trick on debut, Myles Mundy (2), Charlie Higgs and an own goal.

The men’s fifths put on a good team display to beat Eastcote fourths 3-1 after efforts from Tim Jackson (2) and Hayden Langford.

West Herts sixths defeated Eastcote fifths 5-1 with goals from Anish Verma (2), Ashwin Batey, Richard Hopwood and skipper Steve Bold.

The ladies Seconds beat Amersham & Chalfont 5-3 thanks to Sam Blissett, Cathy Conroy, Tanita Montgomery, Ishi Welmillage and an own goal.

West Herts ladies Thirds lost 1-0 to St Albans Fourths while the Fourths drew 1-1 with St Albans Boadiceas after a Sam Rothwell equaliser.

The Fifths defeated St Albans 3-2 after goals from Katie Bryden, Liz Milford and Jenny Staines.