Ludlow fail to build on promising start at Tamworth

The result means they are bottom of the Midlands 2 West North table at this early stage of the campaign, without a point.

They actually got off to a fine start as winger Tom Amphlett went over after a break by Joe Doyle sent him clear.

And Will Norton added the extras with his boot.

But from then on their tackling was poor and passing often inaccurate when the Tamworth line seemed begging to be crossed.

And the hosts scored twice in quick succession through missed challenges, and then sliced through the Ludlow defence to take the score to 19-7.

To the visitors’ credit, they responded before the break.

A kick ahead caught the opposition napping and Amphlett’s quick throw-in to Doyle was flicked on for Mark Williams to score, without the conversion.

And they kept up the pressure and were rewarded when Williams put Doyle through for a try under the post, which Norton converted to level the scores going into the interval.

However it was Tamworth who started the second half looking like winners, and they continued to find holes in Ludlow’s defence as they ended up as comfortable winners.

Also in the division, Cleobury Mortimer have lost both games – but at least have a bonus point.

They lost 15-11 to Crewe & Nantwich at home on Saturday.

Conversely, Whitchurch are top of the pile and enjoyed a 15-7 win against Old Saltleians.

Two divisions below, in Midlands 4 West North, Market Drayton beat Essington 22-10 at home.

Clee Hill, who won on the opening day, were thrashed 39-0 at Wednesbury.

Meanwhile, Oswestry are still looking for their first home win of the campaign in the South Lancashire & Cheshire Two after suffering a narrow 24-20 defeat against Orrell at Granville Park.

The result saw the Eagles slip to sixth in the table, on 13 points. They pressed hard and that paid off early as captain Andrew Smith went over, the conversion missed.

But the visitors soon brought the scores level, before score a second try through James Booth, again unconverted.

Nickola Nikolov then launched a pacy 30 yard run but, isolated in the tackle, lost the ball to an Orrell player who launched a break which resulted in a converted try.

But the Eagles were back in front 15-12 just before half time when Andy Merritt’s quick hands found Ivor Hughes for a third unconverted score.

After the break, the home side worked their way over the line for a try to lead 17-15. The visitors then scored a fourth touchdown to open up a nine point advantage.

But Oswestry were not finished and Smith scored his second try to reduce the arrears. They pushed hard, but could not find a way through before the final whistle.