Marlow Hockey Cub's Men's Firsts were at Pound Lane against Bath Buccaneers in their first match in the Men's Conference West.
In front of a large crowd, they started well and went ahead within four minutes with a goal by Jayden Zamler, one of several newcomers in the team.
Bath were well-drilled and came back strongly, but Marlow held their own and kept their lead until well into the second half when Bath gained more control of the midfield and scored twice.
Marlow threw everything into attack, but Bath were awarded a contentious penalty stroke to go 3-1 ahead.
With not long to go, Marlow went into overdrive with another period of constant pressure and earned several penalty corners, one of which was firmly dispatched by Callum White, making a welcome return after two years away.
The game ended with Marlow swarming around the Bath goal, but it ended 3-2 to the visitors.
Marlow will be at home again on Sunday at 2.45pm against Clifton Robinson from Bristol.
Elsewhere, the men's second team lost to Henley firsts 4-2, the thirds beat Henley twos 3-1 away, the fourths beat Reading fourths 4-3, the fifths beat Thame seconds 4-2, the sixths lost to Yateley thirds 2-1, and the sevenths drew 2-2 with Yateley fourths.
Marlow Women's Firsts welcomed Bath Buccaneers to Pound Lane for the first game of the season.
Bath started strongly, with Marlow keeper Alys Ramm having to make a save with her glove in the opening five minutes.
In the 10th minute, Marlow's Jess Rees-Gray and Lottie Porter linked up down the right-hand side and put a lovely pass in to the back post, which Alice Godfrey was inches away from converting.
Bath took the lead in the 25th minute and were denied a second minutes later by keeper Ramm.
Porter found herself with a good chance early in the second half with a breakaway run, but the Bath defender got an important touch when Porter was striking to deny Marlow an equaliser.
Bath extended their lead with a strike at a narrow angle in the 46th minute.
They continued to pressure the Marlow defence and scored their third with five minutes remaining.
Marlow will now look to bounce back when they host Clifton Robinsons 2s at Pound Lane on Saturday at 3pm.
Elsewhere, the women's second team beat Southampton University firsts 1-0, the thirds beat Aylesbury firsts 3-1, the fourths beat South Berkshire thirds 5-2, the fifths beat Wycombe fourths 10-0, the sixths beat Staines thirds 2-0, and the sevenths drew with Slough fourths 1-1.
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