AFTER going 17 National North Division games without a win, Worcester women's firsts beat Chester 4-1 - and moved off the foot of the table.

Home side Worcester fell behind after just two minutes, but fought back to claim a confidence-boosting win that sent their opponents to the bottom of the league.

Despite the early set-back, the hosts came charging back into the game and rocked Chester with two goals in as many minutes.

Emma Hughes scored both goals from well-worked penalty-corner routines to put Worcester 2-1 ahead.

Looking to force home their advantage, Worcester then went 3-1 in front when Elaine Shepperd netted from a short-corner.

The hosts continued their dominance in the second-half and made it 4-1 when defender Sophie Wood's fierce shot deflected off a Chester stick and into the visitors' net.

n The men's firsts also had a successful weekend, winning two home games out of two.

They saw off Players 5-3 on Saturday, before triumphing 4-1 in a re-arranged Midlands Division One game with Finchfield on Sunday. Peter Gibins hit a hat-trick against Players, while Phil Howell and James Cosh were also on the scoresheet.

Then, against Finchfield, braces from Chris Adams and Jon Sprague proved decisive for Worcester. The visitors took an early lead, but Adams and Sprague played well to see Worcester home.

n In a high-scoring encounter, the men's seconds were beaten 8-5 at Leek in Midlands Division One.

Worcester played some great hockey as they raced into a 3-0 lead, yet it all went wrong as Leek roared back with five goals to lead 5-3 at the break. Five more goals flowed in the second-half as the hosts ran out 8-5 winners.

n The men's thirds were taken apart 5-0 by a well-drilled Harborne seconds side.

n The men's fourths, who lead the Central League West Midlands Premier Division table, came away from their trip to Barford Tigers fourths with a well-deserved point after a 0-0 draw.

Worcester had most of the possession, but couldn't convert it into goals.

n Josh White and Andy Taylor were on target as the men's fifths won 2-1 at Harborne in Central League South West Midlands Division One.

n The sixths secured promotion from Central League South West Midlands Division Two with a 2-2 draw at Sutton sevenths. Adrian Shipperly and Joe Drewett scored the vital goals.

n In the same division, the sevenths were beaten 4-2 at home by Stourport sevenths.

n Lucy Senior and Claire Hayes bagged braces, while Libby Hayes, Vicky Kovacs, Kate Martin and Rachel Creese were also on target as the women's seconds trounced Shrewsbury 8-0.

n The women's thirds beat Droitwich 4-2 at home, with Chris Kendall claiming a hat-trick. M Carey was also on target for Worcester.

n Ben Dalton and Christian Holden hit the back of the net as the Badger Potters picked up a 2-1 win at Bromsgrove.

n The Badgers Potters drew 3-3 away at Barford, despite going 2-0 down early on.

The Pippins got a goal back when Sam Glass scored just before half-time.

After the break, Barford made it 3-1, but Karl Lawson scored twice to secure the draw.