Ludlow 2, Nikevols 5

THE new hockey season began for Ludlow on Sunday when the men's 1st XI provided the opposition for the Nikevols a team of former Ludlow players who return once a year to play an annual match.

The Nikevols are named after Emmanuel Lovekin a Church Stretton dentist who in the inter-war years established an invitation team of talented players with a south Shropshire nucleus who toured Europe, played in festivals and led the way with Sunday hockey.

A goal-less first half was full of incident as both teams tested each other out. Early in the second half a brilliant deflected goal by Carl Everton opened the scoring for Ludlow.

The Nikevols were stung into action and quickly took the lead with goals from Darran Lewis and Brett Pittam.

A spectacular reverse stick strike from Calum Beaumont enabled Ludlow to draw level but the experience of the Nikevols produced further goals from Greg Field (2) and Darran Lewis and a deserved win for the once-a-year side.