Hockey

Two goals each from Fran Long and Jodi Vincent, plus strikes from Kate Bailey and Holly Lashford, were enough to see off their Worcestershire Division One rivals 6-4.

Stourport went ahead within 10 minutes when a Bailey pass gave Vincent the chance to score.

Old Sils soon equalised and then Long had a penalty flick saved.

Stourport, however, soon regained the lead and entered the interval with a 2-1 advantage after a second penalty flick from Long.

A third goal came soon after the re-start when Long picked the ball up on the 25 yard line and ran across the 'D', her shot ending up in the top left hand corner of the net.

Old Sils were unable to create chances from open play, but Stourport found it difficult to defend against their penalty corners and the score was pulled back to 3-2.

However, it was always going to be Stourport's day with Vincent's second goal making it 4-2 before a 50 yard pass out of defence found Bailey who beat the goalkeeper to make it 5-2.

Old Sils pulled it back to 5-3 from another penalty corner, but Stourport captain Lashford netted number six to put the victory beyond doubt. Old Sils did score again but Stourport were safely home and dry.

But while the ladies first are on the up the men are coming to terms with relegation from the National Premier League two after half a decade at that level. Their demotion was confirmed last week and a 5-1 defeat at Bath Buccaneers further darkened the mood of the men.

Daniel Packwood put Stourport in front at the play-off hopefuls but a second half hammering condemned Phil Lashford's men to their fifth successive defeat.

But the skipper is hoping he can hang onto to the majority of his squad to bounce back from Premier Three at the first attempt.

"The way we finished the season we couldn't expect to stay up, especially with the teams around us getting results against the formbook," he said.

"We've got a lot of local lads so I don't think there will be a mass exodus and there's no reason why we can't bounce straight back."