ATHERSTONE 1sts 1 PERSHORE 1sts 6

PERSHORE finally gained promotion to the DTZ Hockey League First Division with a convincing win against Atherstone.

They started strongly and created several chances before Matt Hughes scored the first, finishing off a powerful run which has become his trademark.

Dale-Smith soon added the second with a short corner goal and the result was beyond doubt in the 24th minute when Rushton turned cleverly and saw his fierce shot beat the keeper at the near post. An air of relaxation and celebration in the Pershore ranks enabled Atherstone to come more into the game and they scored from a well-worked short corner, centre forward Badger beating the bewildered Pershore defence from close range.

Pershore restored their three goal advantage before half-time, Whiting being fortunate to score when the home goalkeeper deflected a flick that was going well wide, back into his own goal.

The second half was played at a leisurely pace with neither side able to put together a series of passes before the poor surface caused the ball to bounce erratically.

Dale-Smith missed another open goal and hit the post with a brilliant effort from the edge of the circle. Eventually, Pershore got a move going down the right and Joyce converted.

Rushton then deflected a fierce cross for his second goal.

n Kidderminster continued their DTZ League games and achieved the folowing results: 1sts lost 3-0 at home to Old Halesonians; 2nds lost 2-0 away to Leamington; 3rd's lost 3-4 at home to Barford Tigers in a friendly and the 4ths lost 8-0 away to Solihull Blossomfield.

Stourport women's thirds found league winners Kidderminster too strong as they failed to do the 'double' over their Worcestershire Third Division rivals, going down 5-1 at King Charles.

Kidderminster's scorers were Kaye Mc-Donald (2), Rachael Fidoe, Kate Mc-Gowen and Lucy Prior.

They scored their first during the opening 15 minutes and went further ahead after a scramble in the area. The home side still pushed forward but tight marking shackled the Kidderminster forwards, preventing any further score before the break.

Stourport came back stronger in the second half, searching for a way back. The op-ening duly arrived a few minutes into the half.

A short corner was pushed to Barlow, who struck the ball to Kirk, who netted to pull the scores back to 2-1. Stourport, however, soon found themselves 3-1 down.

Kidderminster increased the pressure again, scoring a further 19 minutes from the end and sealed the three points with a fifth goal in the dying minutes.