COACH Malcolm Wilkinson declared Worcester Firsts' survival in the English League was vital for women's hockey in the city.

On a dramatic final day, Worcester were so nearly dragged into the National South relegation play-off with Preston and the possibility of a drop to the Midlands League.

While the Nunnery Wood-based women lost 3-0 at Exmouth, Bedford threatened to move off the bottom of the table with a 3-1 lead over St Albans.

But Worcester were saved as St Albans pulled level with two strikes in the final five minutes, condemning Bedford due to their poor goal difference.

Wilkinson admitted: "Survival was vital. It keeps the club on the map but, for the girls next season and the younger players coming through, they are part of a national league club which gives them something to aspire to. It makes a big difference.

"Given that we lost six players from the first team squad at the end of last season, this season was always going to be a transitional period of rebuilding.

"Some of the players left were good players but it was going to be difficult. The girls have knuckled down and some of the younger players have come through well into the first team. They will be that much stronger and wiser now and can carry that into next season."

A bonus for Wilkinson is that some of the younger up-and-coming players are aged just 15 and 16 so they will not be leaving the club for university just yet.

Worcester, skippered by Rachel Creese, were involved in a two-way fight with Bedford as all the other clubs had pulled away.

Wilkinson admitted: "We said at the halfway point at Christmas that all we needed to do was finish second-from-bottom. That was the target we set ourselves.

"We then won at Bedford and had another victory. Credit to the girls for their effort in the second-half of the season.

"But we knew we were better than Bedford so I believe the end result was just."

In a different kind of success story, Worcester Women's Seconds secured the title and promotion to the Midlands Conference.

The leaders beat second-placed Redditch 2-1 to celebrate a season of hard work and determination.

Worcester scored first with a great goal from their youngest player Jenny White which was followed shortly by a Chey West strike.

Redditch replied before half-time but Worcester won through in a keenly-contested second period.

The Fourths crashed 6-0 at Droitwich Spa Seconds with goalkeeper Alice Mellor the player-of-the-match for producing many great saves.

Despite Worcester's bright start, Droitwich slotted two quick goals from short corners.

Spa increased their tally to five by half-time but it could have been double figures if not for Mellor.

In the second-half, the city side defended valiantly and let in just one more goal.

Worcester set up many attacks down their wing with Claudia Wells and Sarah Medcalf pushing forward well.