WORCESTER Norton Hockey Club travelled to Birmingham University and won 4-2 in a game that could go a long way to deciding the DTZ Midlands Division Two even at at such an early stage in the season.

Before the game, the two sides were level at the top of the table on both points and goal difference, and the visitors knew that they were in for a tough inspection.

Having started on the defensive, Worcester produced some brilliant displays in both midfield and across the back four with James Cosh, John Wood and Ian Ewers notable contributors even in those early stages.

Birmingham University had found their pattern early and were playing some good attacking hockey and dominated the first 15 minutes until a fine tackle and quick release by Malcolm Ev-ans unleashed the pace of Marvin Bam and Neil Davids to counter attack brilliantly, exchanging numerous passes before Bam simply rolled the ball into the goal after decieving the home team goal keeper.

A second sooon followed after a typical Chris Adams short corner strike was blocked by the keeper, but Bam reacted first, to allow Marcus Botlon to push the ball into an empty net.

The second half followed the pattern of the first with the University side putting together some good hockey, but Worcester continued to make life difficult for themselves and paid the price when their previously fortress like def-ence was penetrated twice inside 10 minutes.

However, Worcester produced a one goal cus-hion when Wood sprinted the length of the pitch to support excellent play from Bolton and cooly slotted home with a masterful strike.

With 10 minutes rem-aining the victory was sealed after a well work-ed short corner routine was finished off by Mark Cary at the far post.

Skipper Ian Ewers said: "I'm a little disapointed in the way we played because we never really got into the match and never really dominated the opposition. However, we cannot expect to play your best hockey week in week out, every side will have a couple of bad games in a season.

"But to travel to play on what is a very testing pitch if you are not used to it and still win 4-2 against a well organised opposition is a great result."

Worcester entertain South Nottingham on Sat-urday. Push back is 2pm at UCW.

Squad (from): Reg Sharratt, Ian Ewers, Andy Waters, Mark Richardson, John Wood, Malcolm Evans, James Cosh, Jon Sprague, Mark Carey, Marvin Bam, Neil Davids and Gerry Ogle.