SWINDON failed to recover from a poor start as they slipped to a hefty 4-1 defeat at home to Plymouth Uni in the Verde Recreo Hockey League Championship on Saturday.

The Wiltshire men had opened their campaign with a 2-1 victory at City of Bath the previous week but were soon in trouble on their own patch, slipping two goals behind.

Phil Scarisbrick pulled one back for the hosts from close range as Swindon grew into the game and dominated the final 15 minutes of the half.

But in the second half they played poorly and Plymouth took full advantage, converting a short corner and then a flick.

The men's A team are without a win in two Central Two matches after they were turned over 4-1 at Chard A, a match in which illness forced them to play with 10 men.

The B team enjoyed much better fortunes as they eased past local rivals Royal Wootton Bassett 5-0 to top East Central Two.

SWINDON Ladies failed to build on their 6-0 opening weekend win at Lansdown as they were edged out by Westberries 1-0 in West Clubs League Premier Division 2A.

Fielding Beth George for her debut, Swindon went close on the counter-attack through Gemma Scrase but the visitors were unable to take advantage of a number of short corners.

A quick break from Westberries saw one of their forwards slip through the Swindon defence and take the lead with less than 10 minutes left.