WORCESTER Norton men's first team went into their friendly against Burton with debuts given to both Matt Baumber and Ben Tailor and a new coaching role for former star player James Cosh who has retired from playing due to persistent groin injury problems.

The side started brightly with fluent passing leading to numerous attacks but failed to capitalise on this spell of possession.

After 20 minutes of solid pressure from the home side Burton scored a break away goal against the run of play.

It stunned the Worcester side who then conceded a second after a defensive error by captain Ian Ewers allowed the Burton attack to expose a poor clearance and score.

The second half saw the Worcester side play with more shape and confidence and chances began to build. Adam Ball converted the first of his two goals after a fine reverse stick shot from England under 18 player Alex Kotlarzewski was only parried by the Burton keeper allowing him to pounce.

Pressure continued and after Kotlarzewski was sent from the field for retaliation, Worcester upped their work rate and pressed for an equaliser. This came courtesy of Ball after a short corner routine was again only blocked by the keeper giving Ball his chance to tie the score. Worcester continued to dominate but a win was just out of the grasp.

Worcester travel to play Hampton-in-Arden on Saturday, 2pm start at Warwick University.

WORCESTER 2nds 7 BLOSSOMFIELD 3

Worcester were able to open the scoring through Ollie Warren when his individual skills and balance capped off a fine move from Chris Perry and Phil Preston on the right wing.

Worcester were then caught napping and Blossomfield took a 2-1 lead.

Worcester then woke up and a few moments of brilliance from Perry and Preston once again created goal opportunities for Lewis and Drake who calmly finished.

It was then left to a fine hat-trick from Sprague which included two blistering reverse stick shots and a impressive first time strike from Perry to wrap up the day's proceedings.

WORCESTER 3rds 2 SOLIHULL/BLOSSOMFIELD 2

A disjointed performance saw Worcester succumb to two late goals in their latest friendly encounter.

Worcester swept into a two goal lead through a fine strike by Andy Hares and a Keith Mulcock converted penalty flick.

Ironically it was during Worcester's best period of play in the second half that Solihull reduced the deficit from a penalty corner.

As Worcester waned in the heat an inability to hold onto the ball cost them dearly as Solihull gained a deserved equaliser in the final minutes of the game.

WORCESTER 4ths 7 SOLIHULL/BLOSSOMFIELD 1

Worcester dominated from the start with some slick passing movements and took an early lead through Martin Hall from a short corner. However within 10 minutes Solihull Blossomfield equalised with a scrappy goal.

Worcester stepped up the pace and began to spread the ball about brilliantly. John Macleod finished a great move to score and Ewan Bell finished two more to give Worcester a half time lead of 4-1. They continued to play some superb hockey from the start of the second half and scored another quick goal converted by Bell, who got another 15 minutes later.

The scoring was rounded off late in the game by Gerry Ogle with a powerful drive into the bottom corner of the goal.

WORCESTER 5ths 5 SOLIHULL 5th XI 0

Worcester dominated right from the start. Scott Seckham got the first goal with a backstick shot. Alistair Wilkinson scored the second.

In the second half Worcester kept the pressure up and Solihull were never able to trouble the Worcester keeper. Three more goals were put in by Worcester, two from Andrew Appleyard and one more from Wilkinson.

WORCESTER 6ths 5 OLD SILHILLIANS 1

Old Sills went ahead after a deflected short corner shot looped over Reg Sharratt in the Worcester goal.

Worcester were soon level when the Old Sills defence deflected a Simon Tinley shot into goal. Tinley claimed Worcester's second, getting a stick to an Andy Taylor goalbound shot. A third goal before half time went to a good shot from Andy Taylor.

The second half saw Worcester dominant with some flowing hockey which led to goals for Andy Taylor and Ian Dyson. Young debutantes Ben Mullett and Matt Mackichan both had solid games and will do well in the future.

WORCESTER 7ths 3 NEWENT 4

Worcester got off to a flying start dominating the opening 20 minutes, taking a two goal lead only to fade before half time conceding a weak goal.

The second half saw end to end action with Newent levelling the score, but Worcester gained a 3-2 lead with 15 minutes to go. As the game came to an end Worcester's tired legs couldn't hold back Newent who scored two goals in the last 10 minutes.

WORCESTER BADGERS XI 5

SOLIHULL/BLOSSOMFIELD BADGERS 0

Having won their first match two weeks ago, this second friendly game proved that the Worcester Badgers are going to continue their excellent performance from last year.

Eight of last season's Badgers have been promoted to higher teams and the new influx of young Badgers is extremely promising for a successful season.

Neil Clinton has proved a strong player and is destined for early promotion.

All the other new Badgers, Matthew Brace, Mark Evans, Joe Wood, Alastair Mackichan and Michael Simmonds played very well. Nine year old Christopher Kendall scored a well taken goal.