Lewes started their new National Hockey League season with a disappointing 4-2 defeat against promoted Hampstead and Westminster on Sunday.

After last season's heartache when they missed out on promotion to the premier division in their final game, a winning start was wanted by Lewes against a side who have been tipped to challenge for automatic promotion again.

It could have been achieved too had they not spurned at least five clear openings against a Hampstead side including South African internationals Justin King and Gary Boucher.

Three goals from short corners in the first 20 minutes cost Lewes dearly and they were always chasing the game after that.

Ed Cabay did score through open play to narrow the deficit and Phil Walker flicked in a second after a short corner but wasted chances in the closing minutes meant Lewes were unable to salvage anything from the game.

Skipper Jeremy Boyse said: "It was a good team performance but we missed a few good opportunities.

"I think Hampstead will be up there challenging at the end of the season along with Doncaster but although they are a strong side, they are not that good and we could have beaten them.

"It is now up to us to go up there and beat them later in the season."

This Sunday Lewes are away to Chelm-sford, who won 3-2 at promoted Beeston.

East Grinstead's league campaign also got off to a miserable start in Manchester as they slipped to a 3-1 defeat against Brooklands.

A bumpy pitch and rain were in keeping with a dour and goalless first half.

Scoring chances were few but Andy Spight in the East Grinstead goal made a couple of smart saves while at the other end Julian Mills rounded the goalkeeper only to see his shot cleared off the line by a defender.

The play, especially in midfield was robust, and it was surprising that the only player to receive a yellow card was Grinstead's Simon Ogden in the eighth minute for a minor foul.

Brooklands opened the scoring four minutes after the interval with a breakaway goal.

Worse was to follow three minutes later when a deflected effort off a boot flew in from a penalty corner. Despite Grinstead protests the umpire allowed the goal.

East Grinstead lost their way and conceded a third before finding their rhythm in the final ten minutes and replying through Dominick Male.

Manager John Murphy said: "They were not two goals better than us but probably deserved to win on the day."

Doncaster, who beat Stourport 3-1, visit this weekend and Grinstead will need to strengthen their resolve and build on their first half performance.