Hockey

STOURPORT skipper Phil Lashford admitted his side failed to do themselves justice during the Men's firsts' 4-2 defeat at Formby in the EHL Nastional North Division.

Their trip to Merseyside ended in disappointment after they failed to cope with a difficult pitch and battling hosts.

While Formby scored from two short corners and two defensive mistakes, Stourport were unable to convert any of their 10 short corner opportunites.

Goals from Lashford and a Rob Allen penalty stroke gave them false hope, because in the end poor finishing and good goalkeeping kept them at bay.

Fifth-placed Stourport now face a trip to Birmingham University at 12.20pm on Saturday for their re-arranged clash with Bourneville, who have gone third with a 4-2 win over Brooklands.

And Lashford is desperate for his men to sign off for the Christmas break with a positive result.

"We didn't do ourselves justice up at Formby because it was a difficult trip and we were not up to it," he said.

"I think if we fail to get a result at Bourneville it will leave us in a league position that does not reflect our true ability.

"There's been a couple of games we should have taken more from."

After Saturday's clash, the men's firsts take a rest from outdoor action until the end of January, but some of the players will be involved in an indoor tournament during the break.

Stourport seconds showed fighting spirit to outbattle Belper and secure a 3-2 victory.

Goals from Simon Chatterley, Phil Baldwin and Dave Westhead did the damage to consolidate their midtable position. They have a double header this weekend with Bournville at home on Saturday and a rearranged game with Cannock on Sunday.

Rob Lashford bagged a brace as Stourport thirds eased their relegation worries with a 3-0 win over Worcester. Dan Hurley also notched.

They are in action twice this weekend, travelling to high-flying Beeston on Saturday, before hosting bottom club Nottingham on Sunday.

Stourport fourths suffered a 3-2 defeat at Edgbaston fifths with Chris Tsang and Giles Colwill on target.

They host Shrewsbury fourths on Saturday.

Andy Watson enhanced his reputation as the division's leading goal-getter with a hat-trick as Stourport fourths beat Old Wulfrunians 6-1 to move clear at the top. Ashley Jones, Lee Baron and Mike Taylor were also on target. The fourths visit Leek on Saturday.

Stourport sixths were held to their customary draw by Shrewsbury fifths as Neil Thomas's second half equaliser ensured a 1-1 scoreline.

Keeper Kevin Hughes made some important saves to preserve a point, but Steve Li had to go to hospital with a shoulder injury. They stay top and travel to Cannock on Saturday.

Top-of-the-table Bournville fourths proved too strong for Stourport sevenths who fell to a 5-1 defeat.

Chris Spence scored their consolation goal as they drew the second half 1-1 following a half-time deficit of 4-0. They host Warwick fifths on Saturday.

It was six of the worst for Kidderminster men's firsts who were stuffed 6-1 by Solihull Blossomfield.

Solihull took control early on and but for some good saves from Kidderminster keeper Martin Roberts would have led by more than 2-0 at the break.

Andy Pocknell gave Kidderminster hope when he put away a penalty stoke after a well-worked move early in the second half.

But Blossomfield stamped their authority on the match with a four-goal burst, while the sin-binning of Pocknell and Isaac Newman compounded their opponents' misery.

Kidderminster have a busy weekend, tackling Stone on Saturday before facing Finchley on Sunday.

Kidderminster thirds suffered their second league defeat of the season when they went down 2-1 at home to Redditch.

Despite Kidderminster taking the lead through Richard Wheeler's rebound from a short corner, Redditch hit back with a goal in each half. Kidderminster deserved a draw and Keith Burgess had a shot cleard off the line.

Chaddesley Corbett did themselves proud after giving West Midlands Division Two table-toppers Newtown a real scare before succumbing to a 2-1 defeat.

A fine solo goal from Matt Boden gave Chaddesley a shock lead but despite determined defending, Newtown hit back with two goals.

Chaddesley face another tough test when they travel to second-placed Kynoch at 3.30pm on Saturday.

Ladies' hockey

KIDDERMINSTER Ladies went goal crazy as they racked up their biggest scoreline in 20 years - a 12-0 whitewash of Silhillians seconds in Worcestershire Division Two.

After taking 20 minutes to open the scoring, the floodgates opened with hat-tricks from Rachel Wills and Kay McDonald, braces from Becky Cotton and Giverney Gallagher and singles from Kate Jones and Kerry Venskus.

Jones was player of the match after performing a vitl role in midfield. Kidderminster visit Stourport thirds on Saturday.

Stourport Ladies firsts produced a super performance to return to winning ways with a 6-0 victory over Shrewsbury seconds in the Midland Conference League.

After losing their 100 per cent record with a 4-1 defeat to North Notts the previous weekend, they got back on track in fine style.

There were six separate scorers with skipper Holly Lashford, Jody Vincent, Fran Long, Jody Vincent, Melissa Kennedy and Kerry Walker all on target.

They have a break from league action on Saturday but have entered the fixture pool to try to arrange a friendly.

Stourport seconds suffered their third Worcestershire Division One defeat of the season when they lost a close encounter at Old Sils firsts 3-2.

After taking the lead through Wilma Martin, Stourport conceded three goals and although Louise Bagnall pulled one back before the break there was no further scoring.

Martin was named player of the match after covering every inch of the pitch. They host Worcester thirds at 2pm on Saturday.

Stourport thirds were also left disappointed after a below-par display led to them losing 2-0 at Evesham firsts in Worcestershire Division Two.

Evesham condemned Stourport to their second reverse of the season despite an impressive display from player of the match Kerry Maughan.

The thirds host Kidderminster at 12.30pm on Saturday.

Stourport fourths were also left reeling when they were hit for six at home to Worcestershire Division Three rivals Redditch seconds.

After an enforced three-week break, Stourport were rusty on their return and could not cope with their visitors' ruthless attacking as they lost 6-0. The fourths are at Bromsgrove thirds at 10am on Saturday.