LUDLOW Hockey Club twice came from behind to win a topsy-turvy West Midlands One league encounter at Bromsgrove 3-2 at the weekend.

Victory against a home team themselves in the hunt for promotion, kept the visitors joint top with Market Drayton and Stourport 2nds, and sets up an early clash of contenders on Saturday, when Ludlow host Market Drayton (12.30pm start), with Stourport starting their game at home to Aldridge and Walsall an hour later.

Ludlow had it far from their own way at the weekend though, falling a goal behind to their hosts after just two minutes and again trailing five minutes into the second period, after Ieuan Hutchinson had levelled.

That second Bromsgrove strike prompted a ten-minute spell of heavy pressure from the hosts but they were left to rue their inability to kill off the game as Craig Heath fired a Ludlow penalty corner towards goal, the keeper blocked it and Jake Watts coolly took a touch before claiming a second Ludlow equaliser.

As the game went into its final quarter, skipper Gavin Hughes provided the vital finish to another penalty corner to keep his side joint top.