LUDLOW Rugby Club made the perfect start to their mammoth month by narrowly defeating local rivals Shrewsbury 7-6.

The Linneymen have been struggling all season in Midlands Two West (North) and currently languish third from bottom with 11 points.

But last Saturday's win has provided them with the perfect platform going into back-to-back games against relegation rivals Stafford and Tamworth.

Club spokesman Phil Norton said the victory was the result of some recent encouraging performances.

"We now play the teams below us in the next few games, so we will hope to win them and them try to consolidate," said Norton.

"We were playing down the slow at Shrewsbury in the first half and put a huge amount of pressure on them.

"We were all over them in the scrummages.

"Our prop Theo Hodnett was tremendous, as was Gavid Duggan and Matt Wilkes.

"It was a huge performance."

Shrewsbury converted a penalty to go 3-0 up but Ludlow grabbed a try through Josh Hill, which was converted by Will Norton.

That took it to 7-3 to Ludlow at the break, with Shrewsbury unable to get out of their half for much of the half.

With three minutes to go, they reduced the deficit to just one point after another penalty was kicked over, but Ludlow held on for four vital points.

Norton added that a lunch will be provided prior to this Saturday's game and is encouraging as many supporters as possible to pop down to the Linney.

"We are looking for a lot of supporters to watch the game," said Norton.

Meanwhile, Ludlow 2nd lost 21-14 to Old Halesonians 3rd in Worcestershire and Herefordshire Merit League Division One.

Sam Wilkes and Jake Parks grabbed Ludlow's tries, with Old Halesonians' coming from George Eccles, Harry Young and Callum Roberts.