ST ALBANS HOCKEY CLUB'S hopes of another National Indoor title lie in tatters after a desperately disappointing weekend of play in Kidderminster as, incredibly, Saints failed to win any of their opening four games in the National Indoor league.

With the reputation as the game's most successful club over a number of years, this was a major setback for the club who have been enjoying such a promising season outdoors.

With a little more luck, St Albans would be going into the second set of games this weekend with two wins out of four, but, the reality is, it would only be a smoke screen covering the fact that the Hertfordshire side desperately need to rebuild.

The major lesson learned from the weekend's play was that the Saints are simply unable to compete at the top level anymore, a fact not lost on skipper Andy Halliday.

"I was hopeful that we could do well again this year," said Halliday. "But knew at some stage that the bubble would burst. Our preparation for this competition could have been better, but we need to indoctrinate the principles of the game into some of our younger players."

With the club on the brink of regaining Premier League status outdoors, priority quite rightly lies with the Outdoor game, but National and European success for the Hertfordshire club has always come from indoor hockey. The club now needs to make a decision as to its approach towards the indoor game.

The weekend began with an 11-6 reverse against Yeovil. With the scores level at 4-4 at the break, the problems that lay ahead were not apparent.

St Albans had, as always, started slowly, but in former Olympian Rob Hill, the West country side had

the match winner and standout player. Hill was devastating from penalty corners, scoring seven from nine as the former title holders were blitzed during the early part of the second half.

Webster with a hat-trick, Halliday's brace and an Ellis strike salvaged some pride for the Saints.

St Albans second opponents, Stourport, were on the receiving end of some classic Indoor Hockey as they struggled to stay in touch with a rampant first half Saints performance. Halliday and Webster both netted first-half hat-tricks as the Tangerines went into the break 6-3 up.

However, Saints were shellshocked in the second period as Stourport turned the tables to run out 9-8 winners. Hawkins and Webster added the St Albans' goals.

Newly promoted Canterbury provided Sunday morning opposition and a host of missed chances during a first half which was to cost St Albans dear as they lost by the odd goal in nine.

Some controversial decisions robbed Saints of a point though and in a heated exchange where Gareth Terrett was benched for dissent, Saints lost their cool as well as the match.

The final match saw a more disciplined first-half performance against Loughborough students and despite being 3-2 down at half time, St Albans performed well with Malcolm Yull outstanding in the Tangerines' goal with Terrett and Ellis on the score-sheet.

The Students have been tipped by many as title contenders this year and their second-half performance was suitably impressive. With tiring St Albans' legs, they exploited every opportunity, running out deserved 9-4 winners, Halliday and Webster netted for the Saints.

St Albans simply have to pick themselves up and scrap for points when the Indoor league resumes this weekend or face the unlikely threat of relegation, although they will be helped by the return of Julian Halls.