Ludlow 26pts Leek 21

BOTH Teams deserve great credit for producing a pulsating Midlands Four West (North) contest in which the result was in doubt until the final whistle, the lead changing hands no fewer than five times.

Ludlow made a rousing start and took play deep into Leek territory from the kick-off. The visitors were penalised for killing the ball and home fly-half Mark Williams slotted the resultant penalty to open the scoring.

Leek hit back and, after some judicious kicking had taken play near the Ludlow line, won the line-out to set up a rolling maul to drive over for a try, also landing the conversion.

Back came Ludlow and regained the lead when right-winger Matt Hawes scored possibly the try of the season with a superb individual run.

Fielding a kick just inside his own half he beat a couple of would-be tacklers with neat side-steps before racing clear down the flank. When challenged by the full-back he chipped over the top before re-gathering to score an unconverted corner try.

Ludlow's pack dominated the rest of the half, and when Leek transgressed ,Mark Williams kicked two penalties to open up a seven-point interval lead.

After the break Leek took advantage of a poor home clearance to run the ball back at Ludlow and score a fine try under the posts, the conversion bringing the teams level.

A series of driving mauls set up another Leek score, the Staffordshire visitors moving the ball wide for a third converted try. Home substitute James Ellis made an immediate impact when he followed up a Williams cross-kick to bag an unconverted corner try.

This set up a tense finish with Ludlow holding their nerve to gather line-out ball and commit the Leek defence with a strong drive before releasing for full-back Jason Hodnett to race over, Williams converting to seal victory.