LUDLOW Hockey Club men’s first team picked up a point from their opening West Midlands Division One game of the season as they drew 1-1 at Bournville seconds.

Lawrence Richards got their goal in his first competitive game since returning to Ludlow, who host derby rivals Shrewsbury in their first home game of the season at Much Wenlock this Saturday (12.30pm).

Ludlow Ladies First team, meanwhile, narrowly lost their first game 1-0 at home to Telford and Wrekin seconds in the Marches League.

Despite fielding four new players, including two ladies playing competitively for the first time, Ludlow gelled well and defended impressively to hold Telford to 0-0 at the break.

Ludlow were more adventurous in the second half, while maintaining their solidity at the back, and it took a fortunate Telford winner – a short corner deflected into the net off a Ludlow foot – to break them down.

Julie Chamberlain was Ludlow’s player of the match.