IT was a busy weekend of action at Yate Hockey Club, as the new season got underway for the men's sides. 

Yate Men's 1 started their West Men's Division 2 West league campaign away to Gwent and started the game strongly with good spells of possession and we're unlucky not to take the lead but for the left hand of the Gwent goalkeeper. 

Gwent grew into the game and took the lead through two quick, well-worked penalty corner routines and the half finished at 2-0.

Yate regrouped for the second half and scored twice from short corners to pull themselves level at 2-2.

Yate pushed for the winner but good pressing work for Gwent robbed Yate's captain in their 22 and they smartly played the ball around the keeper.

Yate showed good character and rallied around to put more pressure on the goal and had a dubious third goal disallowed and a goal cleared off the line.

With the team pushing for the equaliser, a quick counter-attack from Gwent finished the game off as it finished 4-2.

The Yate Men's 2s faced Clifton Robinsons 7s and despite going behind, were able to score three goals and hold on for a 3-1 victory.

As for Yate Ladies 1s, they played at Clifton Robinson 3s in the West Women's Division 1 North.

Slicker passing and connections from the home side saw them score two goals each half, with Yate unable to capitalise on their chances.

Keeper Kelly Bowden made a number of fine saves on her league debut for Yate, earning her Player of the Match and keeping the final score to a 4-0 loss. 

Yate Ladies 2s hosted Somerset Gryphons in their first match in West Women's Division 2 East following their promotion last season.

The visitors led 1-0 at half time and were too strong, taking a 3-0 lead before Sally Ellis scored a consolation goal from a penalty corner; 3-1 the final score.

The Ladies 3rds' first league game in West Women's Berkeley Division 2 was a competitive test against Redland 3 (newly relegated), at YOSC.

Redland opened the scoring after 8 minutes and were dominating at this stage. However, as first match nerves settled, Yate gave the visitors more of a challenge.

They duly equalised through a perfectly placed straight strike from a penalty corner, by captain Alex Bessex.  Redland scored again to take it to 2-1 at half time. 

Yate came out strongly in the second half and the game was evenly matched. A moment of confusion, when Yate went down to 10 players, was exploited by Redland and they scored a breakaway goal. 

Yate responded with a fantastic strike from the edge of the D from Sharron Bates, to take the final score to 3-2 to Redland.