LUDLOW were edged out in the second half of their first home match of the season, a 3-2 defeat to Sikh Union.

The hosts found themselves under pressure from the outset and had to thwart their opponents frequently during the early exchanges.

But having weathered the storm, Ludlow applied some pressure of their own and struck first through a well-worked goal from open play as Tom Aston finished on the rebound following a save by the visiting keeper.

But Sikh Union were not behind for long as a rapid counter-attack resulted in them driving far too easily up the right-wing, bypassing a high defence to leave the Ludlow keeper in a foot race against a forward.

With the custodian drawn outside his area, a fortunate bounce afforded Union a clear shot at the empty net, an opportunity they did not pass up.

And five minutes later, the visitors struck again with a far-post rebound from a saved penalty corner.

Not to be outdone, Ludlow went looking for the equaliser and just before the break got their reward. From a penalty corner, James Pratt sold his marker a dummy and drove the ball between the legs of the retreating keeper.

Both teams went for broke after the interval but Sikh Union seized the initiative with a goal midway through the second half that was similar to their first, catching out a high Ludlow defence.

And while the hosts carried a threat right up to the death, they could not breach Union for a third time.

The second XI beat Newport B 4-1.

Elsewhere, Tenbury’s ladies lost 3-2 at Stourport.

The hosts began strongly, playing a high game and attacking in numbers and although Tenbury looked solid, they conceded an early goal.

The visitors kept plugging away and got back on level terms when Abi Davis rounded off some good play by Vicky Riley.

Stourport continued to probe but with Cat Mumford and Rachel Croxton-Broome solid in the middle, giving Tenbury a platform to build from the back, Davis was threaded through for a well-taken breakaway goal.

The home side were not flustered, though, and levelled through a penalty corner shortly after half-time and the pressure led Tenbury to change their set up.

Croxton-Broome was shifted to a forward’s role but despite some strong work, another penalty corner saw Stourport grab a winner.