ANTHONY Handley scored a hat-trick as Pershore won 6-2 at Barlaston in Warwick Printing Men’s League West Midlands Division One.

Skipper Russell Scudamore struck a reverse shot from Paul Murphy’s assist to open the scoring.

Barlaston levelled after a wayward pass but then Scudamore crossed for Ed Deacon to put fifth-placed Pershore back ahead.

The hosts equalised again by half-time, leading to stern words at the interval.

However, Steve Ridsdale beat four defenders and supplied Handley with his first goal of the game.

Karl Lawson and Andy Gardner defended well although keeper Jack Leech was man-of-the-match.

The last 20 minutes saw Scudamore strike a short corner home before the tireless Handley bagged two goals to seal his treble.

Pershore’s fourth win in a row kept up their promotion push ahead of Saturday’s home game with rivals Evesham and a rearranged clash against Droitwich on Sunday.

The second string suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Old Wulfrunians in West Midlands Division Two.

Old Wulfs’ pacey attack put Pershore under immediate pressure and they scored with a vicious shot.

Pershore hit back with Paul Grummett and Adam Ball seizing midfield but the visitors struck again on the counter-attack. Keeper Steve Taylor then kept the hosts in the game with fine saves, while Mike Handley and Scott Attwood defended well.

The town improved in the second-half with Steve Quantrell on target but they could not find an equaliser.

Pershore lost 3-1 to Tenbury in Worcestershire Women’s League Division One.

Zoe Nicholson and Sam Witherford defended stoutly but the visitors tapped in before half-time.

Kate Adams levelled in the second period after a fine move involving Kelly Burton and Heidi Deacon.

But tenacious Tenbury hit two more goals to win despite the efforts of player-of-the-match Cat Pinney in goal.

Meanwhile, bottom-of-the-table Bretforton lost 5-2 to Swanage and Wareham in West Clubs Women's League Premier Division '2A' for their fourth successive defeat.

Bret’s midfield started well and Sophie Hamilton’s shot from a penalty corner was turned around the post.

However, Swanage went ahead from a rebound after keeper Vicky Watkins’ save.

Sweeper Sarah Cooke ensured Bret remained in the game and Tessa Lewinton levelled from a penalty corner involving Lisa Workman.

But Swanage poured forward in reply and regained the lead despite the efforts of Watkins and defenders Polly Christian and Danni Cox.

Two more quick goals from the visitors were followed by a good Bret spell when Julie Hall deflected in Sarah Hall’s strike. They pushed forward but Swanage broke to complete the scoring.

Player-of-the-match for Bret, who visit second-from-bottom Marlborough on Saturday, was the tireless Hayley Whitehouse.

The seconds lost 7-0 at leaders Cheltenham fourths in Severn Division Two.

Cheltenham scored in the first five minutes and then converted two short corners.

There was strong defending from Jess Eaves, Jemima Hutchison, Zoe Lavery, player-of-the-match Andrea Cole at sweeper and stand-in keeper Natalie Benwell.

But Bret conceded again before half-time and shipped three more goals in the second period.