LUDLOW men’s first XI kept their West Midlands Hockey League Division One promotion hopes on track with victory in a seven-goal thriller at Khalsa Leamington.

A 4-3 win moved Ludlow up to third with two games of the season remaining, leapfrogging Wolverhampton, who were held to a 1-1 draw at Aldridge and Walsall.

Ludlow, who sit on 42 points, are three points behind both leaders Bromsgrove and second-placed Stafford, who each have 45.

Elsewhere, Ludlow seconds thrashed Aldridge and Walsall thirds 9-0 but Ludlow Ladies lost 2-0 at Bridgnorth in the Shropshire League.

Tenbury Ladies climbed to fifth in Worcestershire Women’s League Division One with a 1-0 win at Harborne – despite playing three-quarters of the game with only 10 players.

Injury deprived them of a player after 20 minutes but Tilly Evans fed Harriet Harding to fire Tenbury ahead and goalkeeper Fern Bowkett’s brilliant penalty stroke save preserved the points.