SWINDON Hockey Club began the countdown to their 2019-20 season with an open day at their new base at the Deanery Academy.

Players and officials were in attendance at the event, as were representatives from new senior club sponsor Hall & Woodhouse (Wichelstowe).

Competitive matches are due to get under way on Saturday, September 28, but teams have been playing pre-season games in the build-up to that.

The men’s first team travelled to Wootton-under-Edge to take part in a tournament.

Swindon faced Clifton Robinsons in their opening match and fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat, with Tom Wickens getting the goal.

There was better news in the second game as Swindon defeated tournament hosts Wootton 3-2 thanks to goals from Luke Cejer, Henry Cheney and Wickens.

The third and final match ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Gloucester as Cheney, captain Tom Gillingham and Rob Riddell were all on target.

The ladies’ first team have hit their straps early as they earned an impressive 3-0 victory away at Marlborough.

Lynsey Wall put the visitors ahead in the first half before Rebecca Lightbody and a second from Wall pushed Swindon further clear after the break.