BROMSGROVE Hockey Club Mens First XI slumped to a 7-2 home defeat against Stone in their opening game of the season.
Julian Court's side stayed in the West Midlands division one game until midway through the second half when Stone pulled away from them.
Bromsgrove were behind inside a minute but only 2-1 adrift at the break thanks to Ashley Clarke's goal.
German Marcus Veith levelled the scores with a penalty immediately after the re-start and things started to look up.
However, two goals in quick succession for the visitors put Bromsgrove 4-2 behind and Stone added three more in the closing stages.
Captain Court said: "It was a flattering scoreline. There are a lot of positives to take from the game but we need to work on our fitness."
Bromsgrove travel to Yardley this Saturday.
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