WORCESTER Ladies received a confidence-boosting 18-13 victory over Lichfield in a hard fought encounter which featured fluctuating fortunes.

Lichfield dominated from the kick-off and as Worcester’s series of penalties conceded mounted, the visitors opened their account on 14 minutes when Jas Coyne outpaced the Worcester defence to score in the corner.

Lichfield pressed home their advantage, increasing their lead on 22 minutes when the impressive Harriet Mills powered her way through for a well-deserved try.

However, on 32 minutes, a break by hard-working captain Lisa Campbell ripped open the Lichfield defence, releasing Bianca Blackburn along the wing to reduce the deficit.

Bizarrely, the turning point in the game came on 38 minutes.

Reduced to 13 players, Worcester applied themselves to the task and started posing problems for the visitors, but Sarah Nicolas increased the visitors’ lead with a penalty on the stroke of half-time.

Worcester continued to take the initiative in the second period. Replacements Sophie Williams and Abi Walker having a significant impact.

Ceri Large and Zoe Bennion took control in the centre, gaining ground with some intelligent lines of running.

This change of fortunes resulted in a flowing exchange of passes between Large and Kelly Smith which released Bennion to break three tackles to score in the corner.

The home side’s pressure was rewarded with a penalty and Ceri Large took over kicking duties to mirror the pattern of scores on 66 minutes.

With the balance of possession now reversed, Large raced across field to score in the corner putting Worcester ahead in a game for the first time.

A nail-biting five minutes of additional time ensued which created disappoint - ment for the visitors as they kept possession in a sustained attack and thought they had levelled the game.

However, the player was judged to have been off their feet when collecting the ball, thus providing the home side some relief for a first win.

Worcester visit Richmond on Sunday and will look to build on this performance.