HOCKEY: A point at home to promoted Bowdon ensured Stourport got their National League Division One campaign up and running.

Stourport, defeated at Firebrands the previous week, equalised three times during Sunday's battle before holding a brief lead.

Phil Lashford and Mark Moss shared two goals each, while Bowdon's Jonny Bloomfield completed a hat-trick to give his team a draw.

Bloomfield scored first from a penalty corner on 12 minutes but Lashford equalised with a field goal.

The same player again put the visitors in front only for Moss to reply before the break.

David Egerton added Bowdon's third and Moss drew the sides level yet again.

Lashford found the net with a field goal to put Stourport ahead for the first time but it was not to be as Bloomfield added his third.

Barford 5 Stourport 2nds 2

Youth was given its chance with four Stourport players aged under 16 in a fine learning experience against tough opposition.

With a larger squad and home advantage, Barford proved too strong although they never completely impressed.

Barford took a half-time lead with a deflected effort and grabbed two quick goals from short corners in the second period.

Despite Ben Moulam and Nick Chambers causing problems, Stourport were too often foiled by an uneven pitch.

The visitors, with Simon Mauger playing superbly in central defence, pulled back two well-deserved goals.

Scott Dimmock tapped in at the far post after man-of-the-match Moulam combined with Chambers and Phil Baldwin.

And Mark Harradine smashed in a second following a one-two with Baldwin.

Barford passed their way through a defence forced to push forward in search of an equaliser and snatched two more goals.

Stourport 3rds 3 Nottingham University 1

The prolific David Knott grabbed a second-half brace as Stourport defeated lively opposition.

Stourport 4ths 1 Stourport 5ths 2

The promoted fifths took on their fourths in a high-tempo game in front of a big crowd and played the more attacking game.

Plenty of pride was at stake which spilled over into aggressive tackling with the score poised at 1-1 by half-time.

But it looked unlikely the fourths would be breached with Lee Baron and Dave Shepherd in excellent form.

At the other end, Andy Watson played as a lone striker but still gave Neil Stone plenty of problems.

The game turned when the usually robust Shepherd went off injured, leaving Stone and Robin Conway to combine for Gareth Whale to calmly beat goalkeeper Kev Hughes.

Mike Taylor's fourths threw everything forward in the last 10 minutes but the 10 men had to settle for defeat.

Stourport's sixths drew 1-1, while the sevenths cruised to a 7-1 victory.

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