MEMORIES of their worst defeat of the season will motivate Ludlow Hockey Club men’s first XI when they bid to continue their promotion push at league leaders Wolverhampton this weekend.

Ludlow opened the season with a 7-1 home defeat to their hosts this Saturday but have lost just once in ten games since and thrashed Edgbaston 7-0 in their first game of 2020 last weekend.

They sit third in West Midlands One, a point behind second-placed Stafford and seven behind table-topping Wolverhampton – and skipper Sam Pratt is targeting a top-two finish.

He said: “Saturday is going to be a big test for us because Wolverhampton are a good side but I don’t see any reason why we can’t beat them, we are a good enough side.

“It will be a completely different game from the first one when we had a weak side out and it will close the gap if we beat them and put them under a bit of pressure.”

Pratt, Tom Blount and Matt Jones all struck in the win over Edgbaston while Matt Smart and Craig Heath each bagged braces.

Tenbury Ladies First XI impressed in a fine 3-2 win at Kings Heath in the Worcestershire Women’s League Division One.

Skipper Cat Mumford converted Alice Bufton’s penalty corner to give Tenbury an early lead but, after a string of saves from the Kings Heath keeper, the hosts levelled against the run of play.

Kings Heath went ahead after the break but Tenbury levelled through Lindsey Aldridge-Bufton’s unstoppable shot before Rachel Croxton-Broome’s fine solo effort won it seven minutes from time.