Upton 1, Badsey Ladies 3

BADSEY returned to winning ways but at times they didn't make life easy.

They started brightly and almost scored within the first couple of minutes. However, the pressure continued and Claire Jones coolly finished after a good move involving Jo Cassey and Lynn Townson.

Upton's long ball game was keeping the Badsey defence on their toes, so it was a relief when they went further ahead.

Slick passing out of defence caught the home team off guard, and found Claire Jones on the edge of the D. She slipped the ball through to Lynn Townson who smashed it into the net.

Badsey then seemed to lose their way for a while, allowing Upton to pull a goal back before the break.

The second half was hard fought with neither side prepared to give any quarter.

Badsey had to absorb a lot of early pressure but gradually found their way back into the game and went looking for the killer goal which finally came five minutes from time.

Another well-worked move from the back ended with Jones again on the edge of the circle and her perfect pass found the unmarked Jane Rickey who thumped the ball past the keeper.

Townson was named player of the match for her tireless running and superb second goal. However, the whole team played their part in securing a vital win that maintained Badsey's push for the top.

Badsey entertain Harborne at Redditch RUFC on Saturday, 12noon.

Bidford Ladies 0, Great Alne 1

EXCELLENT defending proved a key factor for both sides when one goal was always going be enough to force victory.

There were chances at both ends in a goalless opening half after which Great Alne grabbed the winner and then clung on to their narrow advantage to deny the hosts.

Bidford are sponsored by Chris and Steve of the Broom Hall Inn.

Blockley 4, Bidford 2

SUNDAY'S friendly saw both sides short-handed but the Cotswolds side made light of their handicap to take a 2-0 half-time lead thanks to goals from Jo Peachey and Chris Grant.

Penny Smallwood halved the deficit but Blockley soon restored their two-goal cushion when Donna Whitehouse picked out namesake Carole to find the net.

A second for Smallwood made it 3-2 and anyone's game but Peachey struck again to secure victory for the hosts.

Campden 5, Ilmington 2

THE Stratford Astroturf surface replaced the saturated grass pitch for Sunday's match and it certainly helped Campden, sponsored by Pyments, who started brightly and took an early lead through Shirley Aubrey.

Excellent passing then brought two more courtesy of Charlotte Roberts before half-time but the result was put back in the melting pot when Ilmington replied through Liz Murray-White and Caroline Mills.

This shook Campden's attack into action and goals from Aubrey and Sally Holmes sealed a comfortable win.

Campden entertain Shipston on Sunday.