STRETCHED Ludlow claimed two victories from three matches in five days to secure top spot in their indoor pool and progress in the English Hockey Vase.

James Pratt fired in a treble with Jake Watts helping himself to two as Ludlow masked a lacklustre display in Wednesday’s Shropshire & Staffordshire Indoor League contest with Old Wulfs.

In the end, the hosts won 5-4 but were forced to cling on in the final two minutes to a result that secured a place in the Premier Division for 2017.

Saturday saw a return to league action but Ludlow were up against it from the off due to a number of last-minute withdrawals.

Taking to the pitch with only 10 men, the visitors worked hard to cope with a frenetic pace but trailed 2-1 at half-time. A fine individual goal from James Pratt levelled matters but Ludlow gradually ran out of steam and lost 6-2.

On Sunday, Ludlow renewed acquaintances with Old Wulfs and booked their place in the third round of the English Hockey Vase thanks to goals from Ieuan Hutchinson and Lawrence Richards.

Ludlow under-14 CVL 7-a-side results: Ludlow 1 William Brookes B 1, Ludlow 0 Telford & Wrekin 1, Ludlow 0 Shrewsbury 5.