WORCESTER secured a well-deserved 2-1 win to knock Sutton Coldfield off the top of ENER-G Men’s Midlands Hockey League Division One.

After a run of disappointing results, the hosts showed great determination and a steely edge.

Worcester took the lead in the eighth minute when, on winning a short corner, captain Jon Sprague rocketed in a trademark drag-flick.

The visitors drew level on 25 minutes from a short corner after their opponents were harshly adjudged to have impeded an aerial pass.

Worcester’s second-half plans were rattled when playmaker Marvin Bam was sin-binned for 10 minutes.

John Hall stepped into midfield and organised the 10 men superbly to keep out Sutton.

With Worcester back to full-strength, a slide pass was played across from a short corner and Chris Perry netted with a superb deflection.

The seconds won 3-1 at Old Halesonians in the West Midlands Premier Division.

Mark Richardson and Matt Hooper (2) scored for the table-toppers before a late consolation from the hosts. Jack Cutler was player-of-the-match.

Worcester thirds produced a clinical display in front of goal to beat Old Wulfrunians 7-3 in the West Midlands Premier Division.

The sixths gained a convincing 5-0 win over 10-man Harborne fifths in Central League South West Division One.

Worcester took the lead through Ed Brown but did not add to the tally until the second period.

Adrian Shipley, Nat Garfield (2) and Brown increased the scoreline.

Worcester sevenths lost 3-2 at Solihull Blossomfield fourths in Division Two.

Meanwhile, Worcester women earned their first Midlands League Premier Division point of the season with a 1-1 draw at fellow strugglers Leicester seconds.

The visitors dominated the first-half and created short-corner chances but Leicester defended well.

Lucy Scales went close, after good work by Emily Horsley, as did Elaine Shepperd.

Sophie Stock was yellow carded early in the second period and Leicester took full advantage to score from ashort corner.

Katie Saunderson, pushed into midfield, cracked home the equaliser from a similar scenario after a Leicester defender was yellow carded.

Leanne Bennett was solid in defence, while keeper Liz Furber made a great block to deny the hosts a late winner.

Worcester seconds went down 5-1 at home to leaders Harborne seconds in Worcestershire League Division One.

Libby Wycherley was denied an early opener by the keeper before Harborne scored their first past new signing Lois Warren.

The visitors were three goals up by half-time, while Clare Hayes went close at the other end.

Hayes put them on the scoresheet after a fine move but Harborne added two late goals.

The bottom-of-the-table thirds lost 3-0 at Ludlow in Division Two with Sarah Ellis voted player-of-the-match.

The unbeaten Worcester fourths kept up their title pursuit with a 3-0 win over Droitwich Spa seconds.

They opened the scoring from open play on five minutes with a follow-up after the keeper saved.

Fifteen minutes later, Worcester doubled their tally and grabbed a well-deserved third goal near the end.

Worcester Badgers Pippins lost their county derby 3-2 at Stourport.

Stourport went ahead early on but Worcester levelled after 20 minutes through Sam Hodson.

The hosts regained the lead and made it three early in the second period.

Worcester were denied by the keeper in a skilful encounter before Hodson scored his second goal.

Worcester Badgers Potters lost 3-1 to Hampton-in-Arden with midfielder Sam Wickett netting.