Hockey
Bromsgrove hit the summit

Bromsgrove 4 Ludlow 3

MRHA West Midlands Two

BROMSGROVE'S eight successive victory saw them replace Ludlow at the top of the table on Saturday night, inflicting a first defeat of the season on the visitors at the same time.

The hosts, who were without Mathew Russell (knee) and Tom Green (hamstring), were on the back foot initially as Ludlow started the game showing the form that had seen them remain unbeaten to this point.

Matt Blount gave them a fifth minute lead with a goal from a penalty corner and Bromsgrove keeper Chris Uren was beaten again three minutes later when Andrew Richards was given too much time to find the bottom corner.

The visitors continued to apply heavy pressure and it was only due to several solid tackles from centre backs Stu White and Nigel Johns that Bromsgrove managed to avoid falling further behind.

Things were not going well for the hosts though and their cause was further hampered when defensive midfielder Laurence Shah suffered a knee injury, Andy Masters replaced him.

Bromsgrove had been second to everything in the first 20 minutes and were looking out of the game but the tide began to turn when George Adams won a free hit in the middle of the park and, showing good initiative, moved the ball down the right before crossing for Bevan Edwards to smash the ball home.

Clearly lifted by the goal, Bromsgrove raised their game and were level four minutes later when influential playmaker Bruce turner picked up the ball on the right and sent a pinpoint cross to the back post for Tom Jennings to tap home.

Bromsgrove looked a different team in the second half and a good passing move between the ever influential Bruce Turner, Bevan Edwards and Rammy Arafa resulted in Edwards firing goalwards and Jennings being on hand to score again.

The lead was soon cancelled out by the visitors as Blount scored his second of the game from a penalty flick, meaning the contest was now there for either side to go on and win.

The crucial seventh goal went Bromsgrove's way when Bruce Turner won the ball at right back before Stu White, Nigel Johns and Karl Troth linked up to give Edwards the chance to beat the keeper.

Bromsgrove controlled possession well in the closing stages which helped seal a superb victory and leave thrilled captain Arafa to say: "We fought hard today and to win from 2-0 down shows real character. Bruce (Turner) led by example and fully deserves his Man of the Match award.”

Bromsgrove are back in action on January 26 when they entertain Pershore (11.30am) at Bromsgrove School.

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