Badsey Ladies 3, Harborne IV 1

AFTER two successive defeats Badsey concluded their Worcestershire League Division Two campaign on a high with one of their best team performances of the season.

They were in control right from the off with good movement and passing to deny the visitors any significant possession.

Nikki Wright and Sara Turner made good use of the space down the wings to make some surging runs and they were well supported by midfielders Shelley Banner, Laura Moore, Sarah Rickey and player of the match Angela Heath.

Defenders Wendy Hardy, Jane Rickey, Lynn Ellarby and Karen Moore, meanwhile, formed a solid wall to protect goalkeeper Rachel Leeming.

The Harborne defence made it difficult for Badsey to make the breakthrough, but it finally came ten minutes before half-time.

A lovely cross from the back line by Sarah Rickey found Zoe Hodgkins in her customary position in front of goal and she made no mistake in putting it past the keeper.

A slow restart by Badsey allowed the visitors to make the match all-square shortly after restart but they then began to get back into their groove with some more excellent hockey.

The second goal arrived after a short corner strike by Hodgkins rebounded into the path of Sara Turner who coolly pushed the ball past the stranded keeper.

Banner netted a third goal for the home side when she converted following a goalmouth scramble.

Harborne had their chances in the second half when they forced a succession of short corners, but Leeming and her defenders were equal to the task leaving Badsey as comfortable winners.

Other results: Malvern 2, Pershore 4 (Anthony Handley, Gareth Rushton, Toby Whiting (2); Pershore II 2 (Mark Passmore, Martin Thomas), Barlaston II 0; Pershore III 1 (Mike Handley), Whitchurch III 5.