Newtown 7pts Ludlow 45

WITH their Midlands Four West (North) league being reduced to 10 teams just before the start of the season, Ludlow had a blank date in their calendar, which they were able to fill with a friendly match at Newtown.

After last Saturday's Junior Vase match was conceded at late notice, Ludlow understandingly looked at bit ragged in the opening exchanges.

Sustained pressure

They eventually found some rhythm and opened the scoring when Darren Jukes collected at the back of a maul to drive over for a try, fly-half Mark Williams adding the conversion.

Ludlow's forwards started to dominate possession and after further sustained pressure they claimed a line-out near the Newtown line and produced a fine controlled rolling maul for Thomas Riki to crash over, Williams again obliging with the conversion.

At the start of the second period Newtown rallied and reduced arrears with a slick penalty move which opened up Ludlow's defence and enabled them cross for a converted try.

The visitors immediately responded with a well practised penalty move of their own which created space for flanker Paul Wright to cross for an unconverted corner try.

Fly-half Williams waltzed through the home defence to score a fine solo try under the posts, his conversion stretching Ludlow's lead to 19 points.

With the game won the Ludlow eight then produced a series of powerful drives which put Andrew Brick over under the posts, Williams again adding the extra points.

Taking advantage of a tiring home defence Ludlow spun the ball wide and wingers Matt Hawes and James Charters crossed for the final two tries, in either corner, Williams managing to convert the final try and wrap up a useful win and team work out.

Awarded tie

LUDLOW'S place in the second round of the Powergen Junior Vase has been confirmed and they will travel to play Daventry.

Derbyshire based Bakewell called off their scheduled first round match at short notice when they could not raise a team to host Ludlow.

The second round draw means that Ludlow will face the long journey to Northamptonshire to play Daventry, on October 18.