Welwyn Garden City were given a reminder of what it takes to win games on day one of the East Hockey League.

They were beaten 5-2 away to Stevenage in Division Two South West and while that result was a little harsh on the Hertfordshire Sports Village side, the hosts were simply very clinical.

WGC had been pleased with their pre-season preparations, with some promising hockey played, but they went into this one without three of their regular back four.

Both were showing delight at being back in competitive action but after a cat and mouse opening, Stevenage got the opening goal with a flick that caught Dan Klinger in goal by surprise and sneaked in.

Undeterred, Welwyn pushed forward through driving play by Nick and Will Reilly and looked dangerous on the counter attack.

Stevenage though were constantly probing and struck a shot from the top of the D which evaded a diving Klinger in goal only for it to bounce back off the post hit the prone keeper on the back and then roll back over the line.

But Welwyn were still very much in the game and shortly after Dave Allmand-Smith took advantage of some indecision in the Stevenage defence to break through and fire through the goalkeeper for 2-1.

At this stage Welwyn felt confident and were causing problems with the ever industrious Nate Last, Paul Marchant and Dan Hatt.

But an innocuous free hit in the middle of the pitch gave Stevenage the chance to move forward and after evading four defenders up the field, they scored a wonderful solo goal with a thunderous strike into the top corner.

Welwyn though got right back into the contest five minutes into the second half with Allmand-Smith getting a carbon copy of his first and they were playing the better hockey at this stage, one of several dangerous moves almost bringing an equaliser with Matt O'Connell to the fore.

Discipline proved their downfall as they received one green and three yellow cards over a 15 minute spell, making life very difficult for Rob Sansom, Bryn Evans, Stuart Stephen and Dan White in defence.

Eventually the Stevenage pressure told and they outnumbered the defence with men at the far post to tap home on two occasions and hand WGC a tough to take loss.

Welwyn play their first home game on Saturday against Royston.

There was better news for the ladies though as they opened up their campaign with a 4-0 success away to Bishop's Stortford.

The men's second team drew 2-2 with Stevenage seconds and the thirds won as well, beating Southgate Adelaide 5-2.