HOCKEY: Stourport Ladies continue to impress in the National Conference North as a hard-fought 2-1 home win over Kendal lifted them one place up to fourth on Saturday.

Victory was the Wyre Forest team’s first in five matches but Stourport are more than holding their own after just one defeat in the last eight.

Goals in each half from Sarah Cavendish and Lora Symonds made sure of the win, although the away side fought back and scored.

The Ladies face their biggest test of the season at Wakefield on Saturday, who experienced their first league defeat at the hands of Brooklyn Poynton.

The seconds were two strong for Newark firsts in the Midlands Division Two.

After falling behind in the first half, goals for Fran Moss, Naomi Burgoyne and Rosie Lewis secured a comfortable win, while Kerry Walker was player of the match.

Stourport’s thirds tackled Pershore firsts in Worcestershire Division One on Saturday and lost a thrilling match 3-2.

They had trailed 3-0 at half-time before goals from Emma Pollack, and Ellie Baxter.

In Division Two, the fourths came from behind to defeat Old Hales 2-1.

This match was an even end-to-end affair.

Old Hales had the best of the initial exchanges but were denied by Stourport keeper Holly Gill.

The away side took the lead with a heavily deflected effort but Stourport upped their game and Heather MacDonald scored.

Stourport piled on the pressure after the break and Ella Wilkinson bagged the winner.

Meanwhile, the fifths savoured derby success in Division Three as they defeated table-topping Kidderminster 6-2.

Rosie Connolly (2), Louise Bagnall, Hazel Claris, Jean Senior and Kate Bailey all scored for Stourport, who rose to fourth in the table.

Kidderminster entertain Harborne on Saturday.