​EVESHAM & Badsey got ran close but held out to win 5-4 a thriller at Stroud II on Saturday.

Caitlin Clark opened the scoring with a near-post push with Denise Southall took advantage of the Stroud keeper being floored to double the visitors' lead.

Laura Moore bagged a third before the break and while Stroud hit back, Sarah Jones made it 4-1 after the interval.

Debbie Edmondson notched what proved to be the winner as the hosts got joy from a series of short corners towards the end.

Clark was named player of the match. Evesham & Badsey will seek a fifth straight Severn Division Two victory with Gloucester IV on Saturday.

The men's second team continued their recent goal rush with a 7-1 beating of Newent, backing up a 5-3 success at Ross-on-Wye the previous week.

  • BRETFORTON II maintained top spot in Severn League Division Three with a 3-0 victory at Stroud II.

One from Rosie Zubek and a double from Mhairi Dunn sealed the deal in an impressive performance in Gloucestershire.

After a slow start, strong build-up play from Emma Lowe and Lucy Cole found Zubek to score with an excellent reverse sweep.

The goal seemed to settle Bretforton with Dunn linking up well with Zubek, creating a number of chances with darts into the D only to be foiled by the Stroud keeper.

Stellar defending from Nat Benwell and Chloe Vickridge helped to protect goalkeeper Vicky Watkins as the momentum shifted and Bret made the most of their hard work when Dunn smashed in a rebound after Zubek's effort had been saved in the build-up to half-time.

Dunn's quick thinking led to her second, slamming home a loose ball early in the second half to complete scoring.

Next up for Bretforton is a match against Newent III on Saturday (noon) at The De Montfort School, Evesham.