WARRINGTON Hockey Club’s women are facing an uphill battle to avoid relegation from Cheshire Division One following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Macclesfield, who leaped above them.

Steph Rawlins put Warrington ahead from a short-corner routine but Macclesfield pressure paid off.

Kate Connolly dropped into defence with Carrie Wright but they could not keep the hosts at bay.

The men’s seconds beat fellow promotion chasers Winnington Park’s fourths 3-1, putting themselves 12 points clear of their opposition with five games to go.

Adam Hooper and Steve Fiddy defended strongly to keep out Winnington’s rapid counter attacks and Billy Gilbert made a great goalline clearance.

Matt Petitt came off the bench to open the scoring with his first of a brace and Ben Vickers added the third.

The women’s second team had a well deserved 2-0 win against Timperley’s fourths on Saturday.

The first goal game from a Becky Miller shot into the D which Hannah Johnson managed to magnificently pick out of the air and hit the backboard to get Warrington up and running.

Warrington continued to press and a well-worked team goal starting with Olivia Mason in central defence eventually fell to Emma Frew on the right wing to score.

Further chances came in the second half for both teams but player-of-the-match goalkeeper Tracy Jackson ensured Warrington kept a clean sheet.