Hockey: Tenbury Ladies 3 Harborne Ladies Reserves 2

TENBURY played superbly to build up a 3-0 interval lead and then held off a strong finish by the visitors to bag the points and move up to a challenging second place in the Worcestershire League Division One.

The young Tenbury team immediately went on the offensive but the experienced visitors countered with a solid defence. But they were rewarded when dynamic striker Sarah Nightin-gale picked up the ball well inside her own half to set off and score a superb solo goal.

She left defenders in her wake with excellent dribbling skills before rounding the goalkeeper to hammer the ball home.

Skipper Rachel Croxton started the flowing move which led to the second goal with a well-weighted pass down the flank. Winger Abi Thomas took it in full stride to get past the defence and deliver a perfect cross for Tina Bickley to fire home.

With their tails up Tenbury continued to press and play flowed quickly from end-to-end with both teams committed to attacking play.

Bickley and Emma Hillhouse split the Harborne defence and forced the visitors to concede a penalty stroke, Croxton obliging with a low shot into the corner.

The fast and furious action continued after the break, but two well-worked Harborne goals put pressure on the Tenbury youngsters.

They responded well, and although they lost Thomas with an injured knee, held on to record their first ever win over Harborne.