HISTORIC WIN FOR LUDLOW MEN

England Hockey Vase Semi-Final

MEN’S 1st XI : MID SUSSEX 2 - LUDLOW 3

Ludlow made the very long journey to Haywards Heath in Mid Sussex for the semi-final of the ENGLAND HOCKEY Vase, on a bright, sunny and warm afternoon. Ludlow started the match and in the early stages played a comfortable but tentative style of hockey, trying to gauge the level of the opposition.  It took Ludlow just seven minutes to make a significant attack and open the scoring finished by James Pratt, Ludlow's in form forward.  Ludlow kept the pressure on despite a top class save from the home ‘keeper preventing Ludlow extending their lead. It didn't stay that way for long, in the thirteenth minute Ludlow converted their second open play goal, again superbly finished by James Pratt.  Mid Sussex now began to demonstrate why they were in the semi-final and just four minutes later they attacked down Ludlow's left hand flank they won themselves a penalty corner, which they finished with a well placed drag flick low to the right hand side of the goal. Now with the belief they could get back into the tie Mid Sussex had their spells of possession, not looking deadly but still dangerous, and when they broke a Ludlow attack 20mins in, a long ball forward split the high pressing defence and left it one on one with the Ludlow ‘keeper, and made the most of it to square the scores.  With only a few minutes left in the first half Ludlow again went on the attack and were glad to see the ball in the back of the net on the stroke of 37mins, this time a simple knock-in from Lawrence Richards, on the end of a perfect pass. Ludlow saw out the rest of the half with no further dramas, going into the break leading 3 v 2.

The second half was a tense affair with both teams having their moments; Ludlow for the most part looked the more threatening of the two sides with several penalty corners, each one bringing out top class saves by either the keeper or defenders. Not to be outdone Mid Sussex had a large period of possession in the second part of the second half and when Ludlow's defence did get broken ‘keeper Dave Hughes managed to get significant touches on the ball to turn it past the post, on the occasion he was beaten determined midfielder Gavin Hughes sprinted back to clear the ball off the goal line.  Hearts almost stopped mid-way through when two Ludlow players spent 2mins in the sin bin but the team re-structured and rallied to ride the storm. With 8mins remaining Ludlow were reduced to 10 following another sin-bin infringement and Mid Sussex gained a penalty corner, this time it was blocked with an impressive stop by defender Lyam Hutchinson. Ludlow then had the presence of mind to close the game out, taking the ball into the Mid Sussex corners. Ludlow knew time was almost up when a desperate Mid Sussex replaced their ‘keeper with an extra outfield player. Ludlow's astuteness shone sending players high up the pitch to keep Mid Sussex's extra outfield player back denying any advantage. When the final whistle went, Ludlow's celebrations began led by victorious Captain Vijay Chumber.

Now the Ludlow men are looking to book travel and accommodation in London to play the final at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park National Hockey Stadium on May 1st. The club invite offers and interest in sponsorship for this historic occasion – please contact the club on 01694 723543, 01584 874205 OR via email on lhcweb@hotmail.com and further club information is available on the website http://ludlowhc.freehostia.com