STOURPORT Men's National League campaign got off to an encouraging start with a comfortable 4-1 victory over East Midlands rivals Nottingham in Division Two North.

Games between the sides have always been closely contested, but while Stourport have strengthened their squad, Nottingham have lost their best player.

Phil Lashford's men have drafted in full-back Ben Snell from Cheltenham and forward Craig Hunt from Droitwich as well as promoting Dave Westhead from the seconds.

Nottingham's former Great Britain international Kalbir Takher has joined Peterborough.

Stourport won the game with goals from Hunt (2), Lashford and Chris Griffiths.

They visit newly promoted Nottingham Sikh Union on Saturday before taking on Barford Tigers in a HA Cup game on Sunday.

Other Stourport men's teams Seconds Friendly: Stourport 1 Worcester 2 (Goal: Phil Baldwin). Next: Beeston (a); Thirds Friendly: Worcester 2nds 0, Stourport 2 (Goals: Alan Moss, Rob Bratt). Next: Beeston (a); Fourths Friendly: Stourport 2, Worcester 6 (Goals: Gareth Pritchard, Oli Rostron); Fifths Friendly: Worcester 4ths 8, Stourport 1 (Goal: Mark Bowley); Sixths Friendly: Stourport 1, Worcester 2 (Goal: Steve Odell); Sevenths Next: Olton (h); Badgers Next: Bournville (h).

l Kidderminster men get their DTZ West Midlands Premier Division campaign under-way with a trip to Evesham on Saturday.

Although it is their first game of the season, skipper Chris Pocknall has described the fixture as a "must-win" match.

Pocknall is expecting Evesham to adopt a physical approach similar to his own team which is largely unchanged from last term.

Kidderminster finished fourth from bottom in 2005-06 with Evesham one place below.

"It's a must-win game for us on Saturday because we want to get off to a good start," said Pocknall. "Our realistic aim is to consolidate."

They beat Bromsgrove 6-3, lost 3-1 to Old Halesonians and drew 2-2 with Kings Heath during their pre-season friendlies.

l Chaddesley Corbett start their West Midlands Division Two campaign at home to Oxford on Saturday after goals from Jon Ella and Tom Boden earned a 2-0 friendly win over Barford Tigers.

Ladies hockey Stourport Ladies will be in confident mood when they launch their Midlands B Division campaign with a trip to Bridgnorth on Saturday.

Holly Lashford's side warmed up for the match with a 1-1 friendly draw against higher-graded Edgbaston on Saturday.

Substitute Kerry Walker grabbed their equaliser after stern words from coach Mark Moss helped them recover from a slow start.

Other Stourport Ladies teams Seconds Worcestershire Division One: Stourport 2, Droitwich 3 (Goals: Kate Bailey, Alison Baron). Next: Harborne (h); Thirds Friendly: Edgbaston 3rds 4, Stourport 1 (Goal: Hanna Corcorran). Next: Bromsgrove (a) Worcestershire Division Two; Fourths Friendly: Bournville 2, Stourport 0. Next: Tenbury (h) Worcestershire Division Three.