Another shutout by Bridgnorth meanies

Bridgnorth are developing a reputation for one of the meanest defences in Midlands rugby.

The Severn Park outfit achieved a shutout victory for the second successive week by defeating Ashbourne 28-0 in Midlands Two West (North).

And that means they have conceded just 13 points from their opening three league games, a record bettered only by Uttoxeter anywhere in the region.

"The defence are doing a fantastic job, particularly as there was a spell where we only had 13 men on Saturday," said chairman of selectors Simon Pennington.

The All Blacks led 18-0 at the interval thanks to two tries from Ricky Wilde, who was later withdrawn with a pulled hamstring, one from Pete Parkes and a penalty from Paul Markevics.

Ken Milkins, who had a spell in the sin-bin along with club-mate Paul Lambert, crossed the line in the second period while Markevics added the conversion and a further penalty.

In contrast, Shrewsbury continue to be dogged by defensive problems as they went down 43-24 at Old Saltleians.

"We are having to change things around because of injuries at the moment," said spokesman Mattie Morris.

"That's not helping with organisation and we are also missing tackles.

"There are positives in the number of points we scored, but we need to tighten up."

A Richard Jones score converted by Morris kept Shrewsbury in contention in the early stages, but an 8-7 deficit had widened to 29-7 shortly before half-time as the hosts ran in three tries.

Nigel Hughes reduced the deficit to 29-12 by crossing the line just before half-time but it was two tries each after the breaks, with Dave Furness and James Plant scoring for the visitors and Morris adding one conversion.

Ludlow are one of four teams in the division still boasting 100 per cent records after seeing off Willenhall 37-17.

And it proved a day to remember for Joe Doyle who scored a hat-trick of tries in his personal points tally of 22.

Fly-half Doyle was one of four first half try scores - one of which he converted - along with Dave Pugh, Darren Brick and Simon Collin, with Willenhall replying with a sole penalty.

Doyle crossed the line for a second time as well as adding a penalty, before the Wolverhampton visitors remained in contention with two converted scores of their own to make it 30-17.

Ludlow then withstood a little pressure but Doyle put the outcome beyond doubt with his third try late on.