MALVERN Hockey Club men's first XI debuted in the Mercian Summer League on Thursday but all did not go to plan.

STOURPORT 4, MALVERN 0

A young Malvern squad travelled to Stourport, who are regarded as one of the Midland hockey giants. Stourport's strength and experience shone through as Malvern crumbled under the barrage of pressure.

From the off Stourport set out in a workmanlike manner using neat short passing and long accurate passes. Malvern defended in numbers trying to stem the rising tide of pressure.

Malvern finally settled and began to play rhythmical hockey but disaster struck, some quick passes around the D by Stourport resulted in a quick through ball which left Malvern standing.

The goal seemed to stir Malvern into action, and quickly Malvern went on the counter attack. Some inventive play between Kevin Somers, Adam Taylor and Leigh Robinson unlocked the Stourport defence, but the finish was lacking.

Again Stourport counter attacked, and again Malvern got men back behind the ball, with Malvern employing hit and run tactics. Malvern's best chance of the game came when a quick, route one ball by Kevin Somers found Leigh Robinson lurking unmarked.

Robinson took off at speed and found himself one on one with the Stourport keeper, he rounded the keeper and unleashed a shot but the ball was tipped off the keeper's toes and away for a corner.

Malvern came back out after the break and immediately fell another goal behind. Some quick passes by Stourport undid the Malvern defence and left Jim Boocock in the Malvern goal high and dry.

All credit went to Malvern for effort because they didn't give up trying. Some goalbound efforts by Peter Holmes, John Forecast caused some trouble for Stourport but tiredness and the summer heat took its toll and in the dying ten minutes Malvern conceded two more well worked goals.

A hard lesson was learned but all credit had to go to Mark Howarth and Richard Peate for their efforts in defence, with Jim Boocock in goal. All worked hard to keep the score to 4-0.

Man of the match was Mark Howarth.

- Malvern Hockey Club men's first XI are playing in the Mercian Summer Hockey League prior to their entrance into the Coaching Solutions West Midlands Division Two in September.