Ludlow result makes Midlands Two West rugby take notice

Ludlow produced a result to make the rest of Midlands Two West (North) sit up and take notice - winning away to previously unbeaten Stafford.

The hosts had a 100 per cent record in league and cup going into Saturday's game but it was Ludlow who came out on top with a 26-14 victory.

Tries for No 8 Chris Harris and Mark Williams, both converted by Will Norton, put them 14-0 up.

Russell Harris thought he had added a third try, only for the referee to disallow it - claiming he was unsighted.

Stafford made the most of that lucky break, notching a converted try from a quick penalty, but Norton kicked another three points with a penalty from the halfway line.

Two more Norton penalties pulled Ludlow further clear early in the second period.

Stafford closed the gap temporarily with a try but Norton found his range again to seal the win.

Bridgnorth had a 100 per cent league record going into their game at newly-promoted Leek but returned with a 13-7 defeat.

The All Blacks welcomed back Warren Harding, Dan and Paul Markevics to the back line with also Stuart Edwards, Sam Woodhall and Jimmy Morris coming back and on the bench.

But two penalties gave Leek the advantage at half-time and they stretched that lead with a try in the second half which was well converted from out wide.

Mike Preece gave them hope with a great break, wrong-footing the full-back to score the try — Dan Markevics converting.

But the comeback ended there, Leek holding on for their first win of the season.

Shrewsbury went down 15-13 at home to Old Saltleians, though they could take pride in their performance against the joint leaders.

And they might even have rescued a point, Mattie Morris missing a conversion attempt with the last kick of the game that would have levelled the scores at 15-15.

The men from Sundorne Castle had their complaints about the referee too, insisting the second of Old Salts' two tries should have been disallowed as the ball had been carried out of play during the build-up.

A Morris penalty had got Shrewsbury off the mark and they added tries from flanker Will Mills and, with the final play of the game, from Will Jones.