OLD Halesonians Hockey Club’s men’s first team lost at home for only the second time this season, going down 3-1 to promotion-chasing Loughborough Town last weekend.

Hales, who this time last season were battling relegation, knew a victory would keep them in with the pack chasing second place and potential promotion depending on relegations from the national league. However, a lack of composure on the ball was to cost them dearly on this occasion.

The visitors started very brightly with high intensity and found themselves 1-0 up when a free-flowing move found a forward on the back post who was able to convert despite the best efforts of captain Paul Woodall on the line.

As the half went on, Hales grew into the game and found themselves level by the break. Man-of-the-match Paul Harrold made a surging run down the middle and his deflected pass rebounded off the post and fell kindly to Tom Bulteel, who showed his attacking intent to follow up and tap in from close range.

The visitors were more clinical in the second half. A quick snapshot came through players to beat unsighted 'keeper Steve Charlton at his near post and a penalty flick late in the half saw Loughborough extend their lead.

Hales looked to be trying to re-establish themselves into the game, but a sin-bin yellow to player-coach Mark Curzon saw the hosts run out of time.

After the game, captain Paul Woodall said: “We’ve shown we can match teams like Loughborough when we are at our best. There are things for us to work on but we’re not that far away.”

Hales now face a double-header this weekend, hosting relegation-threatened Sikh Union Nottingham on Saturday before facing a difficult task away at free-scoring promotion hopefuls Barton on Sunday in a rearranged game.

Other club results saw the ladies’ firsts lose 5-2 to Droitwich, the men’s thirds lose 11-0 against leaders Shrewsbury, and the men’s fifths defeated 2-1 by Lichfield.

The men’s seconds beat Old Silhillians 4-2 and the fourths won 5-0 against Olton and West Warwick.