West Herts were unable to overcome bogey team Cambridge City on Sunday, going down 4-2 to the National Hockey League East Conference title hopefuls.

Cambridge were a stronger side than last year having added ex-Great Britain player Darren Cheeseman to their ranks and it was Cheeseman who netted City’s fourth goal in the 58th minute.

By that stage the game belonged to the home side who had taken the lead in the eighth minute through a Euan Gilmour penalty stroke, extended when Joe Crame netted the first of his two penalty corner strikes.

On the stroke of half time Andy Seimann got one back in open play but Crame’s second after 56 minutes and Cheeseman’s flick made Dan Webster’s penalty corner strike after 70 minutes only of value in terms of goal difference in a tight division.

West Herts ladies surrendered their unbeaten East Ladies Premier record at home to Maidstone, going down 4-2.

Despite having the majority of the possession and scoring opportunities, two breakaway goals towards the end of the first half gave the visitors a surprise lead.

But a second-half fightback appeared to have been started by a well executed penalty flick from Becky Perry after the goalkeeper had smothered the ball in front of goal.

Maidstone, however, soon restored their two-goal advantage with another breakaway goal midway through the half to take a 3-1 lead.

West Herts kept pressing forward in search of a second and Anna Coppel obliged after some good work on the left-hand side.

In search of an equaliser the home side piled the pressure on only to be met by a goalkeeper in form.

But pushing for a third left West Herts vulnerable at the back and Maidstone took advantage by winning a penalty corner on the full-time whistle which they converted to complete the scoring.

The Seconds claimed a draw away to Wapping at the Lee Valley Hockey Centre, the game finishing 1-1.

However, the ladies' Seconds were roundly beaten at Sudbury in Division Two South, going down 3-0 on their travels.

There was victory for the Thirds in Division Two South where Harpenden were dispatched 3-1. The ladies' Thirds couldn't follow suit, though, and were held to a 1-1 draw at Broxbourne Seconds.

Berkhamsted Thirds were ruthlessly dispatched 4-1 by the Fourths in Division Five South West whilst the ladies' Fourths claimed a point with a 1-1 draw at Leighton Buzzard Thirds in Five Counties Division Three.