COLWALL Women's Hockey Club won a hard-fought battle against bottom club Stroud at Stratford Park on Saturday.

STROUD 1, COLWALL WHC 2

Stroud started strongly, clearly determined to fight for their survival in Severn division one, and opened the scoring when they converted a well-struck cross.

Colwall settled into their game, and levelled the score when Coral Handley's shot was saved by the keeper, and Lucy Halligan was on hand to score from the rebound.

In the second half, Colwall continued to press for the winning goal. Nicky Glover ran into the area, past two defenders and then smashed the ball into the far corner of the goal. Jackie Styles was unlucky not to score when her deflection was saved by the keeper's faceguard. Stroud forced a series of short corners in the last few minutes, but good defending gave Colwall the win that keeps them at the top of the league.

Colwall's next match will be against Leominster at Ledbury Leisure Centre tomorrow (Saturday), starting at 9.30am.