Hockey: Wins for Evesham & Badsey sides

After a testing start the team pressed hard and were rewarded with a goal from Hannah Sagar.

In the second half Lansdown picked up the pace but E&B defended well and extended the lead.

A Lansdown reply was soon quashed by a goal from the wing by player of the match Phillippa Jones on a dream senior team debut.

With E&B, who visit Painswick on Saturday, now in full control short-corner opportunities led to a fourth goal by Emma Wommersley.

The men’s first XI won 4-1 at Stroud A to leapfrog their hosts into third place in Verde Recreo League The Marches Division One.

E&B pressed hard from the beginning in an even contest and were rewarded with a fine strike from Patrick Atkins.

In the second period Sam Thompson and Rich Fear defended well and were pivotal to counter-attack goals from Luke Atkins and Steve Miller.

Although Stroud tapped in a consolation E&B soon took control again and scored their fourth goal through Mark Dufty.

They were denied their fifth by the umpire for a contested decision.

Pershore men were unable to close the gap on West Midlands One high-fliers Stafford who won 3-2 in the Vale.

But the hosts led at half-time with Chris Perry deflecting in from a short-corner routine and then finding Russ Mcgettigan to tap in at the far post.

Despite strong defending from Matt Brace a lapse in concentration at the back had allowed Stafford to go ahead.

More panic at the back led to a second-half equaliser and Pershore then lost Richard Stocks for the rest of the season with a broken ankle.

Stafford took the upper hand and scored the winner from a short corner with their keeper pulling off several late saves to ensure victory.

The seconds lost 7-4 at South West Four leaders Kingswinford with Charlie Norton (2), debutant Kevin Price Ward and Ali Sanderson on target.

Vinnie Crowley was a constant threat on the right and keeper Lee Wickersham kept hopes of a fightback alive with a series of saves.