WORCESTER Hockey Club's Women remain top of the Midlands Premier Division after a second win of the season, seeing off Matlock Baileans 1-0.

The visitors should have taken the lead in the first five minutes but shot wide of an open goal.

Although Worcester came back strongly, chances were squandered as the keeper saved from Charlotte Roberts, Elaine Shepperd, Hattie Lloyd and Rachel Creese.

The second-half proved more even with the hosts defending well through Emma Hughes, Sophie Stock, Helen Barnes and Kate Martin.

Worcester piled on the pressure and, with three minutes left, Lloyd drove down the right and her pass deceived the keeper for Philly Roberts to slot home.

Newcomer Lucy Merrell scored twice in Worcester Thirds’ 3-3 draw with Harborne Fifths in Worcestershire League Division Three. After player-of-the-match Merrell’s brace, Katy Chick added a third goal from a narrow angle.

But Harborne pulled a goal back before the interval and levelled with two more in the second period.

Holly Smith enjoyed a fine debut for the thirds.

Meanwhile, Jon Sprague’s hat-trick ensured Worcester triumphed 4-3 in a thrilling comeback at Stone in BodyKraft Men’s Midlands Division One.

Looking to bounce straight back to the Premier following relegation, the visitors fell two goals behind early on.

Stone added a third goal on the break in the second period before the visitors’ stunning comeback.

With 20 minutes left, Pete Gibbins picked out Sprague who buried a reverse-stick shot.

Sprague converted a penalty corner and man-of-the-match Chris Perry levelled.

Late on, a Sprague effort struck a defender’s body on the line and he netted the resulting penalty flick to complete a stunning turnaround.

Worcester Fourths lost their Central League Midlands Premier Division opener 3-0 to Beeston.

The strong Nottinghamshire side were a goal up at half-time through a well-worked short-corner routine.

Worcester enjoyed the majority of the possession in the second period without making it count and two breakaway goals sealed their fate.

A hard-fought South West Division One game saw Worcester Fifths beat Old Halesonians Fourths 3-1.

A fine mix of youth and experience proved too strong for Old Hales and Simon Tinley put them ahead.

Tinley added another in the second period with skipper Andy Taylor also on target.

The sixths suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Edgbaston in their first league match of the season.

Worcester defended well to keep the scores level at half-time and a draw looked likely until Edgbaston scrambled home a loose ball late on.

The hosts hit the post as they searched for a leveller.

A depleted Worcester Badgers Potters side lost 3-1 at Stourport Under 16s.

Keeper Tom Dalton prevented a bigger scoreline as Zach Dunn scored the city side’s only goal.

James Bullock and Jordan Kirkland also shone in defence, while senior players Jeremy Butterfield and Chris Buckley played well too.

Worcester Badgers Pippens beat Droitwich 4-2 with goals from Dan Rushton, Jack Cutler, Owen Taylor and Hal Barlett.