STOURPORT Men re-started the Midlands Premier with a bang with a 4-0 win over Northampton Saints.

The Wyre Forest side built on last week’s exciting 4-4 draw against North Stafford to pick up a fine win.

Facing a Saints side they had scored eight against earlier in the season, Stourport went into this match optimistic but far from being complacent.

An Andrew Cavendish short corner finish after 10 minutes gave them the early advantage.

The Northamptonshire side did not prove to be the same level of opposition as they had been in the first encounter.

The match turned into an evenly-balanced affair, with both teams having possession without troubling the keepers.

Club coach and stalwart Mark Moss, unable to play because of a injury, stood in for regular first team coach Paul Edwards.

He gave a clear half-time talk that spelt out what was required to ensure victory.

A well-deserved goal midway through the second half from the improving Calum Stanley after some extremely determined play doubled Stourport’s lead.

A third from George Southall and a fourth from man-of-the-match Dan Hurley after a perfectly-weighted pass from Chris Hoare saw the Kingsway-based side deservedly over the line Victory also lifted the side to mid-table.

Defensively the side were far better with the inclusion of their lead coach Kali Takher.

He was supported doggedly by Cavendish, Will Terry, Chris Parry and goalkeeper Alex Cook saw them earn their first clean sheet of the season.

This weekend the side have a blank week as the under-18 boys play in the National Indoor Finals at Nottingham.

On January 30, they play another game at the Kingsway against Rugby and West Warwicks before taking on an Oulton side just below Stourport and also battling for Premiership survival.

Meanwhile, the Men’s third team got the better of Sutton Coldfield 5-1, with Adam Leeke bagging a hat-trick.

Anyone who wants more information about Stourport Hockey Club can go to the club's website at stourport-hc.co.uk l The Ladies firsts are in indoor action this weekend in National Division Two while the U18 boys and girls are heading to National Indoor Finals.