MEN’S HOCKEY: Newly-promoted Stourport Men played their first game in the Midlands Premier for two years but found the going tough as they lost 4-1 to Harborne.

Everyone connected to the club knew that it is going to be a difficult season with a step up in level.

Recruitment has not been as easy as the management team would have liked but pre-season training has gone well and fitness levels are better than at this time last season.

This game saw the Wyre Forest side go one up after eight minutes through an Andy Cavendish short corner conversion.

Stourport enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges and were good value for the lead for the first 20 minutes.

However, it was the Harborne coach who changed tactics and put the Stourport defence under sustained early pressure forcing errors in the last 25.

A two-goal spell before half-time saw the Birmingham side in the ascendency and controlling the game. Shortly after the restart Harborne increased their lead and then put the game virtually to bed with a fourth.

Stourport hit back in the final 10 minutes but this defeat was a tough introduction to the regional top flight.

They play Bournville at home on Saturday (noon start).