LUDLOW gave one of their finest team performances in recent years, running in seven tries to book their place in the last 16 of the Powergen Junior Cup and keep alive their hopes of playing at Twickenham.

Leicester-based Vipers provided spirited opposition for the first half-hour but the visiting pack upped their game to dominate possession and provide a platform for some exciting rugby.

Skipper Jake Parkes won the toss and elected to play up the slope and against a stiff wind. Having weathered early Vipers pressure the Ludlow pack took play deep into Vipers territory with a series of powerful drives before releasing the ball to the backs.

Slick handling gave right-winger Matt Hawes a bit of space, and in an electrifying burst he beat his opposite number and left the full-back standing to run in a superb opening try, fly-half Mark Williams adding the extra points.

Williams added a penalty before Vipers hit back with an unconverted try and a penalty to close the deficit to two points.

A splendid series of rolling mauls and rucks saw Ludlow put Vipers under great pressure, and after a yellow card and a series of warnings from the referee, the visitors were awarded a penalty try, Williams adding the extra points.

Ludlow took advantage of their numerical superiority and Hawes bagged a second try to put his side 14 points clear at the break.

With the wind at their backs Ludlow dominated after the break, with astute kicking from Williams pinning Vipers in their own 22-metre area.

The visitors cut loose, and tries from flanker Rob Evans and number eight Andrew Brick, set up by scrum-half Will Norton, both converted by Williams put Ludlow out of sight.

Further tries from Norton, Williams and Darren Jukes, plus four conversions by Williams completed the rout, Vipers only response being a late consolation try.