LUDLOW RFC coach Norman Stalker believes the team is getting better despite seeing them lose their seventh game of the season.

The Linneymen went down 31-12 to second place Moseley Oak in Midlands Two West (North), but Stalker saw many positives to take from the game.

“In terms of our performance, it was greatly improved from some of our previous games,” said Stalker.

“We probably gave them far too much respect in the first half and paid for it.

“It was 21-5 at half-time, but they didn’t deserve it.

“I cannot understand how they are second in the league because they didn’t seem to be that good.

“Before the game, I would have been happy with 31-12, so that reflects where we have come from and that we showed a lot of improvement.

“We stayed in the game for the whole 80 minutes and that is a big plus for me.”

Ludlow were without key players for last Saturday’s game, including Will Armitage, Gavin Duggan, Liam O’Neill and Jim Alderson.

But they matched their opponents for large periods of the game and scored a try in each half from Mark Williams, with Will Norton converting the second one.

Stalker’s team face another tough game this weekend when they host third-place Old Saltleians.

They then face Shrewsbury before facing fellow strugglers Stafford and Tamworth.

Ludlow's solitary win this season was against Tamworth, while Stafford have the same amount of points as the Linneymen.

“Next month is massive for the club,” said Stalker.

“We have already beaten Tamworth, while Stafford have only won once and Shrewsbury have been a bit ‘hit and miss’.

“If we can get points from those games then we will be more safe because Tamworth and Stafford will be separated from us.

“But if we don’t win them, then we will be in trouble and we know that”

Stalker said there is no reason why his team cannot match Old Saltleians this Saturday.

“If we can push a team who are second, then why should we not be able to push them as well?” asked Stalker.

“Early on, we played big powerful sides, like Bridgnorth and Kidderminster and we had a hard time.

“We still need to recruit players and maybe encourage former players to come back to us.

“But that is a long-term project and does not come easily.

“It is hard for players to come in because they are committed to clubs they are at.”