MIKE Belcher made it a winning start to the new year, hitting four goals in Worcester Men's Fifths 9-0 thrashing of Old Silhillians Fourths.

Worcester had chances early on but did not capitalise. Then the rampage began with Worcester 4-0 up at half-time following two goals from Matt Sharratt, one from Mike Belcher and one from Tim Martin.

Sharratt completed his hat-trick after the break, soon followed by Belcher taking his tally to four.

Phil Jones completed the scoring with a scorcher from a tight angle. Ali Mackighan was man-of-the- match.

n A much-changed Worcester Firsts lost 6-1 at an organised Sutton Coldfield in a pre-season friendly. Worcester were without the influential Ewers, Carey and Pussey but still looked much the better side in the opening exchanges.

The scoreline did not reflect their dominance, which included Cosh scoring and two shots ricocheting off the bar and the Sutton 'keeper making a string of outstanding saves from the impressive Sprague and Wright.

Sutton upped the tempo with fresh legs after the break and ran out winners, while Worcester were restricted to the same 11 players.

n The Seconds were beaten 3-0 at home by Old Sils.

Worcester forced a number of short corners but failed to convert any. Excellent play by Tim Johnson gave numerous chances for Worcester to take the lead.

Old Sils scored against the run of play from a well-worked short corner routine. Two further goals followed before half-time.

Encouraging

The Thirds made an encouraging start to the new year with a 4-2 home victory against Old Silhillians Seconds.

Worcester dominated the first-half but only had a Dominic Harris' strike to show for their efforts.

Continuing to press in the second-half, a fine effort from Mark Evans and a penalty flick from Kit Wrightson added to Worcester's advantage.

However, as Worcester began to experiment with new formations, two goals were unnecessarily conceded and only a sublime Gerry Ogle strike eased late jitters.

n The Sixths won 5-2 at the Sevenths.

Level at 1-1 at half-time, the Sixths hit two quick goals in the second-half until the Sevenths scored again through Edwards. In the fading minutes the Sixths scored twice more without reply.

n Badgers White saw off The Downs Colwall 4-2.

The Badgers broke the deadlock with a nice move finished by Josh White before Oliver Drew increased the advantage.

Despite being down 2-0 at half-time, The Downs continued to play good hockey and forced a goal back.

Some good runs down the right by Danielle Moyles, who usually plays for Worcester, helped The Downs equalise, but Worcester took the initiative and scored a breakaway third through White.

A nicely-worked free hit converted by Aden Symonds made it 4-2 to Worcester.

n Badgers Red went down 3-2 at Ludlow Badgers.

Ludlow were 3-0 up at half-time following goals which all came from defensive errors.

Worcester failed to get their game together and some youngsters struggled against formidable opposition.

However, Worcester scored two scrambled goals through Chris Kendall. Tom Padden also shot wide on several occasions.