BOTH of Swindon hockey’s first teams lost 5-1 in league action last weekend.

In the West Clubs Womens Hockey League Premiership, Swindon Ladies were made to pay for a slow start as Bath Ladies seconds cruised to victory on home soil. Meanwhile, the men’s side fared no better in their Verde Recreo Premiership match at home to Taunton Vale.

Travelling to Team Bath Buccs, Swindon Ladies made the worst possible start as the home team were awarded three short corners in quick succession within minutes of the pushback, and Team Bath converted all three with well-practised routines.

With a nightmare first 10 minutes behind them, Swindon improved slightly and showed more promise, but still the hosts continued to look dangerous and scored twice more before the end.

Swindon’s consolation goal came from a short corner. The ball was played to Angela Cooke, and she slapped it goalwards first time before an unlucky defender diverted the effort into the net.

Elsewhere, Swindon Men’s firsts were looking to make it three wins on the bounce.

They made the perfect start too when a powerful cross from the left was deflected to the back post for Tom Goldsmith to slot home a deserved opener.

Unfortunately, this was as good as it got for the hosts as a mixture of good opposition play and ill-discipline made it an uphill battle for the remainder - both James Lewis and Thomas Gillingham received cards in the first half.

The visitors took full advantage with three goals from short corners to lead 3-1 at the break. The second half was a stop-start affair amid Taunton adding a controversial fourth, and as the game reached its conclusion Jim Patrick saw yellow for a tangle of sticks and legs before Taunton made it five late on.

In other results, the men’s second XI beat Cirencester seconds 4-2 away, the ladies’ second XI beat City of Bath 6-1 at home, and the men’s thirds won 3-2 at home to Royal Wootton Bassett thirds.