WORCESTER Norton's men first eleven uncorked the champagne after a 3-2 win at Nuneaton clinched promotion for the second year running.

They sealed a place in the DTZ sponsored Midlands Division One next year with two counter attacking goals from Dave Steer and a winner from Alex Kotlarzewski.

The visitors spent the opening 20 minutes defending in their own half and only excellent play by Reg Sharratt in the Worcester goal, prevented them from going behind.

But Norton held out and scored the decisive goals from two lightning fast counter attacks with Steer grabbing both.

The second goal was created when young England star, Chris Adams picked the ball up on the edge of his own circle, and set off down the pitch.

His pace and skill took him past numerous defenders and when the Nuneaton goal keeper committed himself on the edge of the opposition circle, Adams unselfishly slipped the ball to Steer to score into an unguarded goal.

Nuneaton struck back after the break to level the match but Worcester notched the winner when Adams drove into the Nuneaton circle and squared the ball for his England colleague Kotlarzewski to coolly lift the ball over a prone goalkeeper.

After the game skipper Ian Ewers said: "This is a fantastic result at the end of another fantastic season and shows the character of a side that has been training together since July last year with the collective aim of being promoted again.

"Chris Adams was superb today, as he has been since the Christmas break, but the real star for me today was goalkeeper Reg Sharratt.

"He pulled off a string of excellent saves to keep us in the game during that tense opening 20 minute period.

"There was a great atmosphere in the dressing room when the news of the Sutton Coldifeld result came through and we all realised that the hard work had finally paid off and we could crack open the champagne".

Worcester face Melton in their final league game of the season at University College Worcester at 2.00pm.

The squad is from :Ian Ewers, Reg Sharratt, Andy Waters, James Cosh, Mark Carey, Mark Rushton, Adam Ball, Malcolm Evans, John Wood, Dave Steer and Gerry Ogle.

WORCESTER 2nds 5 HARBOURNE RENEGADES 0

Jeremy Drake scored his 50th goal of the season as Worcester edged a step nearer to the DTZ Premier Division.

He opened the scoring in the first minute and reached his half century eight minutes later.

Keeper Rich Scott then denied the visitors with a penalty save before Mike Perry rose the highest to tuck home a superb cross from Lee Irish to make it three.

Phil Preston scored a late brace to complete a comprehensive victory.

WORCESTER 3rds 3 W'HAMPTON 4

Worcester started this game with only 10 men and soon found themselves a goal down. When up to full strength they conceded two further goals while trying to organise themselves.

At 3-0 down, Worcester started to play some constructive hockey and to take control of the game.

Chambers pulled one goal back midway through the first half, and as the half came to a close Mulcock reduced the arrears.

The second half saw Worcester take complete control of the game but the equalising goal proved elusive.

With 10 minutes left Ogle scored with a fine strike from the top of the circle, but with an ironic twist of fate, Wolverhampton scored a corner in the final 30 seconds of the game.

WORCESTER 4ths 1 LEEK 1

An under strength Worcester side defied the odds to gain a creditable draw from this penultimate game in the DTZ Central League.

In the closing minutes John McCleod gave Worcester the lead following a fine run from Leigh Goodman, but Leek equalised from a penalty corner.

WORCESTER 5ths 3 CANNOCK 7ths 3.

Worcester came from a goal behind to go three up but could not hold on to the lead.

Richard Harvey opened the scoring before Tim Lamont-Smith made it 2-1 at half time.

But after making it three Worcester stepped off the gas and Cannock came back to equalise. Thanks to an injured Phil Jones for stepping in as a keeper.

WORCESTER 6ths 3 BLOSSOMFIELD 4ths 3

Worcester 6ths were denied victory by a late equaliser.

Pip Sirrell opened the scoring for Worcester with a tap in at the far post from an Alex Bowyer cross.

Adrian Shipley doubled the advantage from a Simon Tinley corner before Bowyer grabbed a third but with a few minutes left Blossomfield deservedly equalised to make the final score 3-3.

WORCESTER 7ths 1 LEOMINSTER 3rds 5.

Leominster proved too strong forcing Worcester on the back foot but James Hurley saved a hotly contested penalty flick.

L. Chambers scored the only goal.

WORCESTER BADGERS 9 WEDNESBURY 0.

The Badgers had a comfortable win away to Wednesbury Badgers and were five up by half time.

Marcus Claytor produced a five star performance with five goals and he was joined on the scoresheet by Ian Saunders (two), Bob Allen and Richard Poole.