Ludlow 24 pts Camp Hill 41 pts

PHIL Norton says Ludlow Rugby Club’s coaching duties are likely to be player-led until the end of this season.

The Linneymen are fielding a much-changed side since the resignation of head coach Dave Irish and they paid the penalty for unforced errors against battling Camp Hill.

Ludlow are fifth in the Midlands Two West (North) table and face a tough trip to second-placed Crewe and Nantwich this Saturday.

“It’s a new start – there are a lot of new personnel and when we went 12-0 down against Camp Hill you could see that the confidence had been damaged,” said Ludlow spokesman Norton.

“If we had cut out the mistakes, I think we would have won.

“The team coaching is being player-led at the moment and I think the club will have a proper look at things at the end of the season.

“Crewe and Nantwich are a big side and it will be tough this weekend but we competed well against them the last time . They are one of the top sides in this league.

“We are in a mid-table position and we look to be OK. But we have some tough games ahead, including matches against Bridgnorth and Moseley Oak and table-topping Leek at home.”

Norton said Camp Hill made a flying start and opened up a 17-0 lead after just 25 minutes of last weekend’s match.

“Camp Hill are in a relegation battle and they came to Ludlow really wanting it – and fought very hard,” said Norton.

“Apparently, Camp Hill had signed six players from Birmingham and Solihull and they are doing all they can to avoid relegation.

“Camp Hill capitalised on every mistake which we made and they only got into dangerous positions three times in the second period – and they scored tries each time.”

Joe Doyle scored Ludlow’s first try just before the break but the hosts missed a couple of kicks as they went into the break with a 17-5 deficit.

Matt Wilkes dived over from close-range for Ludlow’s second try, which was converted by Will Sparrow.

Sparrow bagged Ludlow’s third try after a mistake from the visitors allowed him to hack the ball through to score.

He converted his try but Ludlow were well beaten when winger Gareth Parker notched Ludlow’s fourth try.

Norton said: “Each time we scored – Camp Hill responded and scored too.

“I think the first 10 minutes were crucial because Camp Hill came at us hard and we made a few mistakes which knocked our confidence.”