LUDLOW had to be content with a losing bonus point from their first home game of the season in Midlands Two West (North).

Visitors Veseyans took the honours 16-11 but victory would have been Ludlow’s had their discipline and vital decision making not let them down.

In a game that saw the home side play much of the game without a full quota due to yellow cards, it was fitting that the match-winning score came in the form of a penalty try – a decision that baffled many onlookers.

Constant rain made the going tricky for both sides but the Burway side seemed to struggle the most with their preferred expansive style of rugby not suited to the conditions and the slippery ball.

When full-back Joe Doyle put in some big up and under kicks and chased them down, the visitors looked under pressure.

But Veseyans’ line speed and ball turnover was such that when the Ludlow backs tried to play out of their own half they were too often turned over.

Good pressure from home centre Mike Jones put the Veseyans’ backs under pressure from the kick off and it was winger Tom Amphlett who again got Ludlow off to a fast start, snapping up the loose ball and outpacing his opposite number to the line.

The returning Will Sparrow could not add the conversion but did slot over a penalty only for Veseyans to close the gap to 8-6 thanks to back-to-back penalties.

The key moment came when the visitors were awarded a penalty in front of the Ludlow posts. This was taken quickly and then moved forward ten yards because of intervention by the Ludlow forwards.

When the same thing happened a gain, the referee decided to punish the pack with a penalty try much to the annoyance of the many supporters who had gathered as part of Chairman’s Day at the club.

Veseyans slotted over another penalty and although the hosts replied with another Sparrow penalty, pressure for the remainder of the game could not find a way through the solid visitors defence.

Ludlow travel to Silhilians in the North Midlands Intermediate Cup on Saturday hoping for a more disciplined display to help ease them into the next round.

There was better news from Ludlow 2nds who beat neighbours Clee Hill 24-5, tries from Tom Bayliss and Rob Davies helping secure the spoils from an excellent game of attacking rugby.

Church Stretton were edged out 17-5 at home to Aston Old Edwardians in Midlands Four West (North) and are back in league action in two weeks when they head to fellow strugglers Bloxwich.

In Midlands Five West (North), Bishop’s Castle ran out 22-7 winners at home to Chaddesley Corbett thanks to tries from Matt Davies, Pete Hughes and a brace from Phil Oliver.