HOCKEY: Appalling conditions aided Stourport's downfall as their three-game unbeaten run ended at bottom-of-the-table Southgate in National League Division One.

The home side's 3-1 success was their first victory of the season after seven games and was achieved despite heavy rain flooding the pitch which made a passing game difficult.

Early signs were good though for Stourport as Luke Edwards caused Southgate's defence problems but they were unable to benefit from numerous short corners due to the conditions.

However, in the 14th minute, a short-corner pass broke to Mark Moss whose shot was redirected by Phil Lashford to open the scoring.

The visitors looked comfortable with their lead without creating any further good chances until Southgate narrowly missed with their first short corner.

And Southgate equalised in the 24th minute through top scorer John Bell who dispossessed Stourport in midfield and somehow evaded two defenders.

His initial shot was saved only for the rebound to go through keeper Evans' legs into the empty net.

Southgate nearly went ahead for the first time but were denied by a good Evans save and Kelshaw's timely tackle.

Stourport failed to impose real pressure in the second half and found themselves chasing the game in their own half.

The home side eventually converted the pressure with a Gerrard goal on 52 minutes after Bell dribbled past three defenders and laid the chance on just a few yards out.

When Bell converted a third goal from a broken-down short corner in the final minute, it was no less than Southgate deserved.

Third-from-bottom Stourport were second place in all departments and need a vast improvement if they are to challenge on Sunday against Beeston.

The Nottinghamshire club are in good form after a poor start and sit one place above the men from Wyre Forest.

Stourport 2nds 2 Belper 10

The seconds were well beaten on Saturday against physically stronger and more experienced opponents.

Belper's extra pace paid dividends and the game followed a similar pattern to others this season with Stourport defending relentless pressure in a bid to keep the score down.

The visitors scored in the opening five minutes and were 5-0 ahead at half-time with only keeper Danny Baldwin's excellent saves denying them more.

Stourport were unable to keep possession with David Knott and Ben Moulam forced to feed off scraps.

A better second period saw Marc Edwards show skill on the ball and plenty of fighting spirit alongside Mark Harradine.

Knott troubled the Belper defence and earned a number of short corners but none were converted and Stourport conceded five more goals.

The forward was fouled eventually and converted the penalty stroke himself with Phil Baldwin adding a fine second goal to round the keeper after a three-man passing move.

Edgbaston 3 Stourport 3rds 0

Stourport were short of regulars but there were promising displays from an extremely youthful side.

Edgbaston's experience paid off from the 70th-minute mark.

Stourport 4ths 1 Cannock 4

The fourths' toughest match of the season saw a tight encounter which resulted in a flattering scoreline for the experienced visitors.

An early Cannock goal meant Stourport had to chase the game throughout with the work-rate of midfielder Steve Taylor and the threat of Andy Watson always keeping them in with a chance.

The Staffordshire side added a second goal but Watson pulled one back from a short corner which he flicked across the face of goal and into the far corner.

Cannock pressurised the Stourport goal but came up against determined defending from Lee Baron and Alastair Rosie.

Two unforced errors in the later stages completed the scoring.

Meanwhile, there were wins for Stourport fifths, sixths and sevenths with the club's youth policy clearly paying off in the development teams.

Dan Hurley scored a sublime winner as the sevenths triumphed 1-0.

Fixture, Sunday: Beeston v Stourport 1sts (2pm).