WORCESTER women's firsts were denied a point in a 2-1 defeat at promotion-chasing Aldridge in English Hockey League National North.

The bottom-of-the-table city side had a potential equaliser from a penalty corner disallowed.

Worcester were required to defend an onslaught of slick passing which led to an opener for Aldridge on 10 minutes.

Stern defence from Sophie Wood, Emma Hughes and Cath Fordham was again broken down in open play.

The second goal came from a penalty corner, again deflected past advancing goalkeeper Caroline Tromans.

Worcester hit back when a penalty corner was converted by Emmie Le Marchand from an Elaine Sheppard strike just before half-time.

The visitors defended brilliantly in the second-half and were stunned to have their effort disallowed.

Worcester men's firsts lost out in the top-of-the-table clash with North Stafford winning 2-1 and taking over in first place.

Despite a Worcester opener on five minutes through Chris Adams, they failed to convert the rest of their chances.

North Stafford exerted a lot of pressure and claimed two goals in reply to finish a disappointing first-half.

In the second period, Worcester put up more of a fight but could not bag the leveller.

The seconds lost 3-2 to Telford in their bid to restore lost pride after a heavy defeat the previous week.

Starting brightly, Worcester opened the scoring through Brett Pittam from Steve Grant's pass. Telford responded quickly as the game developed into a hard-fought affair.

Sam Swinbourne converted a short corner to give Worcester a deserved lead but then Matt Walker was shown a dubious yellow card in conceding a converted penalty.

Telford took the lead and held onto it through uncompromising tackling and several decisions going their way.

Weakened Worcester thirds won 5-4 at Stratford, playing especially well in building a 4-2 first-half lead.

Paul Sharratt (three) and Chris Kendall (two) scored the goals as the city side retained their place at the top.

In a high-fliers' clash, Worcester fourths beat joint leaders Cannock sixths 2-1.

Nagushang, Brian Crump and Andy Hares were unlucky not to score.

Worcester finally made the breakthrough through Hares' second-half chip but Cannock bagged the equaliser through a penalty corner. With 'keeper Reg Sharratt keeping Cannock at bay, Phil Jones fired home with seven minutes left.

Worcester fifths defeated Bournville 4-3 in a must-win game at the top of the league.

Andy Taylor, Myles Reece, Mark Ogle and Owen Edwards ensured victory.

The sixths put on a great team display but lost 5-4 at Barford Tigers.

T Perryman (two), Kort and J Drewitt scored as Worcester hit back from 4-1 down at half-time only to lose in the last minute to a break-away.