Rugby: Ludlow 20 Bridgnorth 7

Ludlow are refusing to count any chickens in the Midlands Two West (North) title race - despite a 20-7 victory in the Shropshire derby at Bridgnorth for their 15th straight league win.

The south Shropshire side are just one point clear of Old Saltleians at the top, though they do have two games in hand.

And spokesman Phil Norton insists there could still be plenty of twists and turns, especially with two matches against in-form Stoke-on-Trent to come.

"There are still a lot of ifs and buts," said Norton. "We've still got to play Stoke twice and they are playing well. I certainly won't be celebrating until it's absolutely secure.

"Next week's game with Stoke is important and if we win that then I think it would be down to a two horse race between us and Old Saltleians."

A Will Green penalty put Ludlow in front on Saturday but hosts Bridgnorth responded with a fortuitous try in front of a crowd of over 200 - the biggest of the season at the Edgar Davies Ground.

That came when the All Blacks missed a penalty but Ludlow failed to secure the ball behind the line and Mike Preece reacted quickest to pounce and score. Dan Markevics kicked the conversion.

But two more penalties from Green gave Ludlow a half-time lead and they pulled away in the second half.

Green converted another three pointer when Bridgnorth had veteran Ken Milkins sin-binned for preventing an early release.

And the visitors pulled further ahead when No 8 Chris Harris crossed the try line after good work from prop Sam Wilkes. Green then kicked his fifth penalty to wrap up the win.

"Conditions weren't the best for either side as we both wanted to play open, flowing rugby," said Bridgnorth skipper Gareth Bladen.

Shrewsbury were left to rue a miserable start as they slipped to a 30-20 defeat at Leek.

They found themselves 20-0 down inside half an hour and, despite a much better second half, were always chasing the game.

"I can't figure out what was going wrong on the pitch in the first half," said skipper Simon Eviits. "We got it back to 20-3 at the break and we actually won the second half 17-10 but it was too little too late."

By CHRIS HUDSON