DROITWICH Spa Hockey Club's women travelled to Stourport for pre-season friendlies.

The seconds were first up against Stourport sixths with several players promoted from the juniors.

Spa keeper Helen Dent ensured the first half was goalless before Hannah Blackmore troubled the hosts with her pace in the second period.

But Droitwich could not make the breakthrough and Stourport broke the deadlock to win 1-0.

Eleanor Baskerville was player of the match for Spa in her first appearance in senior hockey.

Droitwich firsts also lost 1-0 to Stourport fifths in a stop-start encounter with injuries for both sides.

Naomi Mountford kept the away side in the game with a string of kicker saves supported by Lorna Davidson and Emma Wright.

Claire Darby took a ball to the head after it flew up off a stick while Stourport hit the post.

In the second half, Spa's Mollie Cresswell combined with Sophie Blackmore who set up Laura Brains for an effort on goal which Holly Gill smothered.

Stourport went ahead with a flowing attack down the left before the cross was put away at the back post.

New Spa recruit Rosemary Evans was their player of the match.

The women continue their pre-season build-up with home games on Saturday from 10.30am.

The men get their league campaign under way with the firsts at home to Barford Tigers thirds at 1.30pm in T3 South West Division One.

The seconds travel to Old Halesonians thirds in the same division and the thirds go to Edgbaston eighths in Division Three.