Ludlow coach Dave Irish looking for improvement against Berkswell and Balsall (From Ludlow Advertiser)

Ludlow coach Dave Irish looking for improvement against Berkswell and Balsall

11:00am Wednesday 31st October 2012 in Sport By Ian Morgan

Barkers Butts 39 pts Ludlow 29.

COACH Dave Irish believes his Ludlow side can begin their climb to safety in Saturday’s vital home clash with Berkswell and Balsall.

Second-from-bottom Ludlow scored five tries in last Saturday’s match at Barkers Butts but they paid the price for two defensive lapses.

Irish’s men now host Berkswell and Balsall, who are just two places above the Linneymen, in another Midlands One West six-pointer.

“We have to win our home games and we are still on target to win three from four against teams around us in the table,” said Irish.

“We have used 30 players so far this season and we have still got six players out injured.

“I think there’s enough talent at Ludlow that, if we can get the lads back and playing together regularly, I think we will be OK.”

Sam Wilkes bagged a brace of tries, while Jack Lines, Will Sparrow and Joe Doyle also scored in last Saturday’s thriller at Barkers Butts. Will Norton kicked two conversions for the visitors.

“We played some good rugby but the loss was down to a couple of defensive errors when we twice flew up in defence going for an interception,” said Irish.

“The lead changed hands quite frequently and it was not until late in the second-half they went ahead. “But the two lapses cost us 14 points.”

“I was very pleased to go away from home and score five tries.”

l BISHOP’S Castle skipper Pete Bevan admits he’s getting a bit worried about their poor form in Midlands Four West (North).

Hooker Robbie Davies’ maiden try put second-from-bottom Castle 5-0 ahead at Bromyard but the Herefordshire side hit back to win 22-5.

“Commitment is really poor at the moment and we are not getting players to training,” said Castle skipper Bevan.

“We have not yet won in the league this season and we could do a lot better. It’s starting to get a bit worrying.”

He added: “We were playing well at Bromyard and then, all of a sudden, it went to pot and they deserved to win.”

Meanwhile, Cleobury Mortimer are second-from-bottom in Midlands Three West (North) after a 43-5 defeat at Stourbridge Lions.