Ludlow 36 pts Old Saltleians 21 pts

STALWART Phil Norton says Ludlow Rugby Club are unlikely to appoint a new head coach until the end of this season.

Norton says the search for Dave Irish’s replacement has not started because the club will want to get the right person in charge for next term.

“We will be looking for a new coach but we are unlikely to be going up or down this season so the club will probably appoint someone for the start of next season,” said Norton.

Former Malvern player Irish resigned from his head coach’s role after some of Ludlow’s players were not happy with his methods.

Irish said: “We have not had a lot of games in recent weeks and there was a bit of unhappiness.

“I felt I could not continue without the full support of the players.

“There were some players who were not happy with the direction.

“It was my second season and I was going to have a look at things at the end of the season.

“I have two young lads and my time will be taken up ferrying them about and I still coach an age-group side at Malvern.”

Skipper Darren Brick has signed for rivals Bridgnorth, while Tenbury captain Pete Stevens says he has snapped up Dan and Tom Rawlings and Russell Jones.

Ludlow are hosting Camp Hill this Saturday after recording an excellent 36-21 home win over Old Saltleians in Midlands Two West (North) last weekend.

Norton said: “It was a terrific performance and the whole thing was just amazing. We did not give Old Saltleians any time to settle.

“The back row of Theo Hodnett, James Tyrrell and Will Armitage were tremendous.The only disappointments were the yellow cards for Ludlow duo Theo Hodnett and Will Norton.

Jim Alderson scored Ludlow’s first try against Old Salts after a fine break from Joe Doyle and Will Sparrow added the conversion.

But Old Salts levelled things up after a fortunate break before Mark Williams grabbed a quick-fire try-double to lift Ludlow to 19-7.

Old Salts notched a second converted try, following a maul, to cut Ludlow’s lead to 19-14 at the break.

Sparrow’s penalty stretched Ludlow’s advantage before Doyle scored a converted try.

The visitors grabbed a second converted try from a driving maul.

However, Sparrow wrapped up Ludlow’s success, scoring a final try under the posts, which he then converted.

Phil Norton added: “Out of the next six games, we have five at home and we played really well last weekend which was superb in the circumstances.”