HOCKEY: STOURPORT Ladies' dreams of playing Midland Conference League hockey next season were cruelly dashed at Woodrush High School, Wythall, on Saturday.

After fighting back against Bournville to draw 1-1 at full-time in their play-off, they lost their Conference League place 3-2 on penalty flicks.

Bournville began sharply, closing Stourport down quickly and pushing them into their own half.

This early pressure paid off when Stourport sweeper Dawn Evans left the field injured in the 12th minute.

The resultant short-corner was struck past Stourport's keeper.

Stourport struggled to string their attacks together but began to pressurise the Bournville goal.

Their best chance came in the 32nd minute when, during a series of short-corners, they struck the post.

In the second half, Stourport seemed more confident and equalised through a Laura Price strike in the 45th minute, marking her final match for the club.

More pressure produced a chance for a second goal with Alexis Tysler and Cathy Smith making space in Bournville's area, only for their defence to intercept the move.

Stourport netted a second goal as Tina Evans, also playing her last match, struck a shot from a short-corner.

But the goal was disallowed having been adjudged to have been hit high.

This was just another of several disputed decisions from the umpires.

In the penalty shoot-out, the sides were level at 2-2 after the five set penalty flicks with Price and Catrina Owen successful for Stourport.

But disaster struck when the competition went into sudden death and Owen failed to convert her second.

Bournville's strike hit the target, consigning their opponents to the Worcestershire First Division again.