Blueharts Hockey Club won 5-1 at home to Bedford in the first round of the HA Cup on Sunday. Harts managed to score twice in the first half. New recruit John Sapsed opened his account with a superb individual goal, beating two defenders before firing in h

Blueharts Hockey Club won 5-1 at home to Bedford in the first round of the HA Cup on Sunday.

Harts managed to score twice in the first half. New recruit John Sapsed opened his account with a superb individual goal, beating two defenders before firing in his shot on the half volley.

Jimmy Lewis added a second minutes later, again a solo effort, beating defenders before smashing the ball past the keeper.

During the half both sides were reduced to 10 men, and it happened twice to Harts. New boys Sapsed and Will Tomsett both received yellow cards and spent time in the sin bin.

Harts started the second half well, John Barrett converting a penalty corner with a powerful strike before Bedford scored minutes later from a penalty corner of their own.

A Bedford player then received a red card for some dirty play and Harts capitalised.

Sapsed scored his second from a well-worked short corner routine, and Tim Price scored a fifth two minutes from time when he followed in a shot to bundle the ball over the line.

Stevenage warmed up for the start of the league season - at home to Ford - by winning 5-3 at Blueharts seconds.

It was the visitors who took first blood, Rob Cornell ghosting past two defenders before being brought down in the area by the Harts keeper to win a penalty flick which Ollie Holt calmly slotted home.

Then, a few minutes later, Harts were level from a penalty.

Level at the break, the second half started badly for Stevenage when a defensive mix-up resulted in Harts taking the lead.

Stevenage were level within five minutes as another great ball from the impressive Jon Oliver set up brother Mike.

A neat one-two between Danny Blackburn and Nick Reilly resulted in skipper Blackburn scoring a third for Stevenage.

Blueharts hit back almost immediately when a great passing move tore the visitors apart.

Stevenage took control of the game and won the game thanks to second goals for Mike Oliver and Blackburn.

The thirds (3-2 over Welwyn GC 2nds) and fourths (2-1 at Welwyn GC 4ths) also won.

But there was defeat for the seconds (2-1 against Blueharts 3rds) and sixths (6-0 at BAe).

Matt Scott scored all six goals as Letchworth hit Berkhamsted for six without reply.

Other men's scores: Letch 2nds 4 (Dave Gentry, Phil Waring, Matt Deer, Nick Cole) Luton 2nd XI 1; Letch 3rd XI 3 (Ben Abbott two, Dane Hirst) Luton 3rd XI 1; Letch 4th XI 3 (Paul Bellingham two, Neil Osmond) City of Peterborough 1.

Ladies' scores: Letch 2nd XI 2 Blueharts 0, Letch 3rd XI 3 Luton 2nd XI 2, Letch 4th XI 2 Blueharts 2nd XI 2.

Letchworth's juniors and minis hockey began their season on Sunday.

Training for five to seven-year-olds is 9.30-10.30am, eight to 11-year-olds is 9.30-11am and for 12 and over it is 11am-12.30pm (equipment is provided).