PERSHORE Hockey Club returned to winning ways in West Midlands Division Two with a solid 4-1 home victory over Whitchurch.

Ed Deacon, who is beginning to find form after a lengthy injury lay-off, bagged two goals.

Anthony Handley also scored two goals in a game that saw Pershore’s passing and ball retention much improved from the previous week.

The visitors managed a consolation goal, denying Pershore keeper Tom Metson a clean sheet.

Fourth-placed Pershore travel to table-topping West Bromwich on Saturday for a much firmer test.

The seconds lost 4-2 at Ludlow despite opening the scoring with a fine strike by Paul Grummitt following a short corner.

Pershore defended well but the scores were level by half-time and Ludlow took the lead in the second-half only for Graham Handley to convert a scramble set up by Mark Passmore.

However, the youthful legs of the Ludlow strikers found the Pershore goal twice more before the final whistle.

The women enjoyed a 5-1 victory over third-placed Badsey in a Worcestershire League Division One Vale derby.

Badsey broke the deadlock but, just 10 minutes later, Mary Small beat the keeper with a pinpoint strike into the far corner to level.

Keeper Cat Pinney thwarted the visitors and then Emma Gardner slotted home a penalty flick on the stroke of half-time after Small was fouled.

Pershore dominated much of the second-half as Sam Witheford and Kelly Jones marked the Badsey strikers tightly.

Emily Capaldi, Gemma Pinney and Heidi Deacon provided fine outlets out wide with Ceri Barber, Claire Chadwick and Amanda Barnes pushing forward in the middle.

Two further goals from Small and a deflection from Nicky Sheppard ensured three vital points for mid-table Pershore.