WORCESTERSHIRE went down 54-34 to Lancashire in their latest inter-county netball match at Preston.

The county side gave a debut to Jo Brennan at goal defence. Lancashire included a number of England U19 players and Worcestershire knew that this was going to be a tough match.

Right from the first whistle Lancashire drove at the Worcestershire defence and raced into a 5-1 lead. After the initial burst the game settled down and it was goal for goal until the end of the first quarter with Lancashire leading 14-9.

The second quarter started with fewer scoring chances and after a couple of minutes the score was 16-10. The Lancashire goal keeper then sustained an ankle injury and called for injury time. Lancashire gradually increased their lead as the quarter wore on and led 29-17 at half time.

Worcestershire made a number of changes at half time. Brennan switched to wing defence, Karen Greenfield came on at goal defence, Jaydee Hunt switched from wing attack to centre, Nina Russell came on at wing attack, Helen Webb came on at goal attack and Carrie Fearby switched from goal attack to goal shooter.

The changes upset the rhythm of Lancashire for a short while but Lancashire soon started to extend their lead and finished the third quarter leading 40-23.

Worcestershire were now in a no win situation and needed to concentrate on at least getting 50 per cent of Lancashire's score which would guarantee them a point.

The fourth quarter became the most keenly contested with Lancashire scoring 14 goals to Worcestershire's 11 to run out winners.

The U18 side pipped Lancashire by a single goal, 26-25, to become the first Worcestershire team to register a victory this season.

After racing into a four-goal lead, Lancashire came back and matched Worcestershire goal for goal until the end of the first quarter with Worcestershire leading 8-4.

Lancashire played with more determination in the second half and started to peg back the lead. An ankle injury early in the second quarter by Rachel Sweet meant she took no further part in the game and her twin sister Becky replaced her.

This was Lancashire's most successful part of the game, scoring two goals to every Worcestershire one thus enabling them to finish the second quarter 14-13 in front.

The third quarter was very keenly fought with Worcestershire drawing level 18-18 even though they had one less centre than Lancashire.

Lancashire edged into a two-goal lead early in the final quarter but Worcestershire came back to lead by one with a minute left. Worcestershire showed great composure in the final seconds by keeping possession and finally ran out winners.

Other results, Seconds: Lancashire 47 Worcestershire 40.

U16: Lancashire 43 Worcestershire 11.