OLD Halesonians Hockey Club men’s first XI kicked off the 2014/2015 season with a home draw against Edgbaston.

The contest against the team that were relegated from Midlands Premier Division last season ended 2-2.

Hales knew they would be in for a tough game, especially as their pre-season preparations had been disrupted due to several reasons.

It wasn’t the start the home side wanted either, as they found themselves 1-0 down early on, despite periods of play where they prevented Edgbaston from leaving their own half.

The visitors struck fast, and caught the Old Hales defence napping when their forward rounded goalkeeper Steve Charlton to find the corner of the goal from a tight angle.

Old Halesonians responded well and had chances of their own. However, they found themselves two behind before the break, when the visitors once again struck against the run of play.

The half-time was a welcome break for Hales, as they regrouped and were able to get back on track.

Well organised, and well drilled, the hosts soon got a goal back through Paul Woodall. The game became more open as both teams tired, and it was Hales who were able to bring the game level when Tom Durnford found the corner of the goal from a penalty corner.

As both teams tried to steal all three points for themselves, the game got heated and several cards were shown, and both teams were reduced to 10-men when an altercation left Hales forward Harry Hughes in the sin-bin along with an Edgbaston counter-part. The game came to a close with points shared, and the men’s first XI will look to next week against Coventry and North Warwick, another side relegated from Midlands Premier last year, for their first win of the season.