TENBURY United signalled their intent to keep chasing for the Herefordshire League title by recovering to win an 11-goal thriller with Wellington reserves.

United twice battled back from behind in the 7-4 success to erase the memory of finishing the last calendar year with a pair of defeats.

Nick Britten put Wellington ahead in the fifth minute and although Ryan Morris squared to Mike Foster to level, Britten netted again midway through the first half.

Foster returned the favour for Morris and United upped the ante with Foster and Gavin Podmore both hitting the woodwork.

Morris nudged Tenbury in front just before half-time but Wellington were not done and Britten completed his hat-trick to equalise.

Not to be outdone, Morris netted a sumptuous volley to bring up his treble and extended the lead with a fourth. Foster and Podmore then scored to all but end the contest, rendering academic an own goal by United’s Sam Williams late on.

"It was a good start to the year,” said joint-boss Nick Stocker. “We had a poor finish to 2016 so it was nice to get back to winning ways.

“We had a few words before kick-off and hopefully put right some of things we weren't happy with last year. The boys that came off the bench were excellent and showed a great attitude.

“We were not happy about conceding four but it was that kind of game, end to end. There are some really big games coming up in 2017 and we look forward to a successful finish to the season.”

Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Nathan Hardisty moved into double figures for the season with a goal as Orleton Colts won 3-2 at Leominster Town. Shane Jennings and Martin Jones were also on the score sheet.

Dan Crowther made it 16 goals in eight matches with five in Ludlow’s 7-1 beating of Fownhope Reserves in Division One. Dan Griffiths and Scott Guilbert found the net as Colts climbed to seventh in the table.

There was another feast of goals for Woofferton in their 4-4 draw at Hinton Reserves, while rock-bottom Orleton Reserves lost 3-0 at home to their Holme Lacy counterparts.

The weekend’s rugby union action saw Church Stretton climb off the bottom of Midlands Four West (North) with a 21-11 win at relegation rivals St Leonards.

Roan Kirkby kicked Samurai 3-0 and 6-5 ahead before his tap penalty set up centre Will Davies for the opening try.

Kirkby missed the conversion and hit the post with another penalty as the hosts hit back to level 11-11 at the break.

However, Kirkby did land a kick after the restart and flanker Fin Hughes found fly-half Marcus Bedson to wrap up Samurai’s success with 10 minutes to go.

The result saw Church Stretton leapfrog St Leonards into second bottom to trail Bishop’s Castle & Onny Valley, who sit just above the relegation line having granted Wednesfield a walkover on Saturday, by four points.