Sidmouth and Ottery Hockey Club’s men’s fourth XI came out second best to a visiting West Dorset side, despite showing some good skills at times.

With a side made up of veterans and youngsters, the side created some chances in a competitive game but it was the visitors who drew first and second blood.

At the half-time team talk, captain Paul Baker highlighted some of the good play the team had produced and urged them to greater things.

Initially, the response was for the visitors to score again but SOHC were determined to get back into the game.

Pressing forward, they won a short corner and Nigel Dupain’s firm strike beat the keeper to grab one back.

Soon after, another good attack down the right ended with Richard Lucas scoring from close range to raise hopes of nicking a point.

The continued to maintain the pressure but West Dorset were able to put together a free-flowing attack to score again and confirm the result.

The side travels away to play Chard on Saturday, still in search of their first points of 2016.