WORCESTER Norton Hockey Club's ladies are eagerly anticipating 2002 because several of their teams are still in the running to achieve success by the end of the season.

The first team begin the new year in second place on goal difference in the Premier Division of the Midland League and the prize for winning the league is entry to the play-offs for Division Two of the National League.

Before the league recommences on January 25 they have three warm-up games, the first being on Saturday against Gloucester from the West Premier League, starting at 3pm at Nunnery Wood.

Worcester lose Kate Draper, Sarah Fellows, Tina Evans and Fiona Nash to England International Under 17 and Under 15 assessment camps for this fixture.

This will give other members of the first team training squad a chance to stake a claim.

Squad: Sonya Morgan, Pam Gilmore, Jane Game, Becky Handy, Amanda Smith, Elaine Shepperd, Dadie Lapper, Sophie Wood, Becky Adams, Jo Walker, Charlene Mason, Kate Fletcher.

National Trophy Competition commitments will see the first team make the long journey to Colchester on January 20 to contest their third round tie.

Prior to that two of the club's junior teams are in action.

The Under 19 squad will defend their Worcestershire Clubs' Championship title at Stourport Hockey Club next Sunday, January 13, and victory here will clinch entry to the Midlands round of the national competition on March 10.

The Under 15 squad expect to play their fourth round tie of the English Hockey Cup for Clubs and Schools against Oakham School from Leicestershire on January 15 but the date has yet to be finally confirmed.