Ludlow Hockey Club are looking forward to their Shropshire Star Cup debut on the weekend when they will line up against county heavyweights Telford, Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth.
Ludlow’s decent seventh place finish in their first season in the West Midlands division one last year has seen them force their way into the tournament at the expense of Whitchurch.
“The top three choose themselves, and then to make it a better competition we look for another team,” explained tournament organiser Dave Siddorn.
“Whitchurch had a poor season while Ludlow had a reasonable season, so we thought we’d pick the fourth team from the winners of the Shropshire Shield.
“Ludlow won it so they went through. It gives Ludlow a chance to see what it’s like against the big boys.”
And Ludlow believe that while they might have their work cut out against National League outfit Telford, they should be able to hold their own against higher league opponents Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth.
Captain Stuart Richards said: “We’re looking forward to the challenge of the step up. We’re hoping that we’ll be able to take the game to them - if they’re going to win then they are going to have to work for it.
“We think that we’ll be able to give Shrewsbury and Bridgnorth a game. It might be difficult if we end up playing Telford, but we have nothing to fear and will give it a go.”
Ludlow will take a full complement of 16 players including promising youngsters James Pratt and Joe Richards.
They kick off against Bridgnorth at Oakengates at 1pm while Shrewsbury face Telford at Madeley Court.
Favourites
The winners of those games will meet in the final at Oakengates at 2.50pm.
The overwhelming favourites, though, are holders Telford.
“The Shropshire Star Cup has always been really important to us,” said vice captain Jon Woodrow. “It took us a long time to win it, but when we did we managed to keep hold of it so we want to keep that going.
“We’re clearly favourites, but Ludlow have done well, so they might be a bit of a darkhorse.
“We will take a large squad and it might be a chance to blood some youngsters. Dave Goodfield, Rajesh Dhulashia and Tom Williams are training with the first team with a view to getting them involved, so they may play a part.”
Telford face Firebrands hockey club from Bristol on Sunday.
Whitchurch, meanwhile, drop into the Shropshire Shield along with Oswestry and Market Drayton. Matches to be played September 20.
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