Ludlow 27 – Stafford 13

The third game in the league saw Stafford travelling over into Shropshire to face Ludlow in the shadow of Ludlow Castle. Stafford was hoping to build on last week’s win in the Intermediate Cup and move from their position as last in the league.

Ludlow started the game strongly moving through the phases and putting the Stafford defence under pressure. Stafford responded with some good runs by Danny Duggan and Dave Wareham which in turn put the Ludlow defence under pressure earning Stafford their first penalty attempt at goal. Rich Martin ably kicked the ball over. Stafford continued to apply pressure which led to Stafford again being awarded a kickable penalty and Rich Martin’s second goal of the match. The scores were not to stay all Stafford’s though, and 30 minutes in Ludlow were to score their first penalty. Then in the closing minutes of the first half another penalty allowed the home side to draw level. Half time score was 6-6 and the two teams looked evenly matched, seeming to have had about the same amount of territory and possession in the first half.

Early play in the second half led to the Stafford prop Angus Lennon having to come off. His replacement Matt Cooper was given no time to settle in and sustained Ludlow pressure at the scrums led to Ludlow scoring their first converted try. Ludlow continued to apply a strong attack which allowed them to find a hole in the Stafford defence and score their second converted try. A few failed clearances then put the Stafford defence under sustained pressure and led to the home side scoring their third converted try. After a poor third quarter Stafford managed to settle and an attacking line out in the home team’s twenty two led to Alex Reffell scoring Stafford’s first try between the posts. The conversion was ably kicked by Rich Martin. Stafford continued to play a strong physical game and in the last 5 minutes Ludlow lost two of their front row leading to uncontested scrums for the remainder of the game. Stafford maintained their attacking play but a strong Ludlow defence continued to keep them out. The game ended with the home side nearly managing to score a last minute try and earn their bonus point, but a strong Stafford defence kept them out just short of the line.