STOURPORT started the second half of the Men’s Hockey Conference West season with a bang as they picked up four vital points in their battle to avoid relegation.

The bottom of the table outfit bagged their first win of the season on Sunday when they edged out University of Birmingham 1-0, only a day after they had drew 2-2 with Havant.

The four points gained mean Stourport are now only a point behind Fareham, who have dropped into the relegation zone.

Going into the first weekend of the season’s second half, coach Mark Moss was keen to build on the two draws which his team posted before Christmas and build some momentum to get back in touch with the rest of the teams in the league.

He shuffled his players by moving Dave Westhead into the centre of midfield and dropped Alex Simmonds into midfield to cover for the absence of Jon Hollway.

Stourport also drafted in the experienced Ian Roberts and welcomed back long term injury absentee Simon Mauger for their first games of the campaign.

Stourport powered into a 2-0 lead against Havant with Hollway scoring, before captain Phil Lashford grabbed a fine second after good work by Imran Yousaf.

However, Havant responded to the two-goal deficit, stepped up the pace of their attacks and started playing more expansive hockey. They got a goal back when, from a long corner, Stourport were found ball-watching and a slick passing move was finished by Samuel Hatherley who touched in at the far post.

Just when Stourport looked like getting into half-time with a one-goal lead, a well-worked short corner was deflected home by Simon Hanley to level the scores But they recorded the all-important first win of the season by seeing off University of Birmingham away on Sunday.

Up against a side coached by former Stourport man Steve Floyd, the visitors started slowly but did well to repel the home team’s attacks.

Simon Miles came closest to scoring a goal, shooting just wide.

But Lashford made the vital breakthrough in the 58th minute after Pete Christmas had collected a Dan Packwood aerial pass, combined well with Alex Simmonds and released Chris Hill, who produced a pin-point cross for the captain to score.

With seven games of the season left, Stourport continue their efforts to get out of the relegation zone at home Whitchurch on Sunday (1.30pm start).

n Stourport Ladies emerged from the weekend unbeaten in the Midlands Division One after two matches.

The ladies edged out Wellingborough 1-0 on Saturday and were then held to a 1-1 draw at home to Burton on Saturday.

Against Wellingboro, away side Stourport struggled to get into their rhythm but Rene Johnson grabbed a fine strike to ensure the win.

The following day, Stourport grabbed a point with a Heidi Devey goal, while keeper Sophie Wood made sure of a draw with a fine last-gasp save.

The seconds lost 4-2 at home to Shrewsbury in the Midlands Feeder League in an entertaining clash.

Abbie Tapp and Lauren Homer grabbed Stourport’s goal at the end of the first half but Shrewsbury scored three break away efforts and one more in the second half to make sure of victory.

The seconds bounced back the following day with a 4-2 win over Wem, with Holly Lashford, Shelley Tromans, Lauren Homer and Amy Ryan scoring.

Stourport’s thirds were edged out 2-1 away to Bromsgrove seconds, with Kate Bailey on target.

Despite losing 2-1 to Tenbury seconds, Stourport fourths still have a five-point lead at the top of Worcestershire Division Two. It was the visitors who opened the scoring from a short corner, only for the home side to equalise through a well-placed shot by Chey West.

Stourport continued to create chances but were unable to convert any of them.

Tenbury came out strongly in the second half and as their confidence grew, found two goals in quick succession to take all three points. Stourport’s player of the match was Indi Wilding.

The fifths drew 1-1 with Kings Heath seconds in Birmingham on Saturday in Worcestershire Division Three.

Fran Taylor had fired Stourport ahead but Kings Heath hit back in the second half to make sure it was honours even.