West Herts Hockey Club men’s Firsts were defeated 4-3 by Indian Gymkhana in a National League Mens East Conference fixture.

The game proved to be full of goals but on this occasion Stags came up short, despite winning 6-1 in the reverse fixture.

Marcus Mahne gave Gymkhana an early lead after three minutes from a penalty corner, and they went further ahead five minutes later with Matthew Wells scoring from open play.

Dan Webster pulled one back for the Stags but not long after, Gym restored their two-goal cushion through Mahne.

After the break the game was very open, and it looked as though things would swing West Herts’ way when they got back on level terms - with Pete Corbridge and Adam Johnson netting in the space of two minutes.

However, Hayden Beltz was on hand for Indian to score what was the deciding goal to take them a step towards closing the gap on Brighton & Hove.

Next week, Stag are set to face promotion chasing Sevenoaks at the New Field.

The ladies Firsts were smashed 8-0 away from home to St. Albans in the Investec Ladies East Conference.

Four goals in each half were enough to give the Tangerines an emphatic win.

Albans opened their account after three-minutes with Adele Sammons finding the net from a penalty corner.

And they doubled their lead in the 21st minute with Hannah McLeod getting the first of her three field goals in the game.

Sammons struck again before McLeod made it four on the stroke of half-time.

Just after the break, Katy Hart made it five from the spot and then three goals in four minutes broke the hearts of the Watford side.

Kirsty Barber rattled in a brace and McLeod completed her hat-trick on the hour mark.

Herts’ men’s Seconds were held to a goalless draw to Havering at the weekend.

The Stags reserves simply could not find the net as their season draws to an anti-climax.

For the men’s Thirds, their time in the East Division 2 South danger zone seem long gone after they defeated Waltham Forest Seconds 6-1.

Herts took a two goal lead into the break and a third goal just after half saw them run away with the match.

Forest gained a consolation strike but Stags’ Rob Gabriel scored a hat-trick, Luke Frey a brace with the tally being made up by Nils Mundy.

A fourth place finish is now a possibility for the team.

The ladies Seconds gained a valuable point in the East Division 2 South West when they held Brentwood to a 1-1 draw.

The Essex side took the lead via a deflected goal mid-way through the second half.

But Herts were rewarded for sustained attacking pressure as Sarah Hall gained the vital equaliser.

It was a frustrating afternoon for the ladies Thirds as they went down 1-0 to Stevenage Seconds.

The side are yet to win a match since Christmas.

Promotion could be on the way for the ladies Fourths in the Five Counties Division Two after they defeated Broxbourne Thirds 3-0.

Rachel Aldridge, who has now scored 31 goals in the season, Sheena Hambleton and Jess Dawkins were on the scoresheet.