HOCKEY: Improving Kidderminster registered their first victory of the season in the third DTZ League Midlands One fixture.

The town defeated win-less North Stafford 2-1 with goals from Rupert Upshon and Paul Grummitt.

Both players scored in the first half which Kidderminster dominated in a vastly improved display.

They hope to use the game as a platform for the coming weeks but have a tough test at home to high-flying Kings Heath Pickwick on Saturday.

North Stafford 6 Kidderminster 2nds

Reduced to eight players due to cry-offs and an early injury, Kidderminster produced an outstanding display.

They started well but lost youngster Danny Mazurick after only three minutes when he was hit in the face by a deflected ball.

The remaining eight excelled themselves and scored through Seb Knights and Piers Whitehouse.

Kidderminster 3rds 2 Old Silhillians 9

A younger and fitter Old Sils took advantage of their pace to grab three early strikes, giving Kidderminster a tall order.

Joe Sorrell pulled one back before the break and the home side played the better hockey into the second half.

But while chasing a second goal, they were outplayed by the visitors who scored six more before Daren Jackson hit Kidderminster's second.

It was a bad result but there were signs of better to come, especially from Sorrell and Stuart Wharton.

Cannock 8ths 7 Kidderminster 4ths 0

Nine-men Kidderminster were indebted to an excellent display from Tom Eales in goal.

Kidderminster Ladies 0 Droitwich 0

The dominant Wyre Forest team were unable to find the final pass in a frustrating goal-less draw.

Fixtures, Saturday: Kidderminster 1sts v Kings Heath Pickwick, Finchfield v 2nds, 3rds v Wolverhampton, Bournville 5ths v 4ths, Ladies v Harbourne 4ths.