LUDLOW and Clee Hill will have to replay their much anticipated local derby after last Saturday's clash was abandoned following a nasty injury.

An ambulance was called to The Linney after Clee Hill replacement Adam Yarnold dislocated his hip six minutes into the second half of the Midlands 3 West (North) match.

The home side were leading the first ever league meeting between the sides 21-7 at the time, with Yarnold, a number eight, taken to hospital.

The match is set to be replayed in February.

"He had to have an operation on Saturday night," said Clee Hill's Matt Bowen.

"It turns out there was a bit of bone missing.

"I would have thought he'll definitely be out for the rest of this season.

"He's a key player for us but accidents happen."

Bowen said Clee Hill were just getting into the local derby after a lacklustre first half.

"We just couldn't get into the match in the first period. I don't know why," he said.

The match had attracted a crowd in excess of 200 to The Linney.

"It was such a good day down there," said Ludlow spokesperson, Phil Norton.

"Lots of people were there watching. The clubhouse was absolutely buzzing."

A try each from Mark Williams and Tom Evans, together with three Will Sparrow penalties and a conversion had given Ludlow the advantage before the injury to Yarnold brought about the abandonment. Charlie Evans scored a try for Clee Hill.

In the same division, Cleobury Mortimer maintained second place with a comprehensive 24-0 win at Edwardians.

Tom Leach went over for the first try having picked the ball up 15 metres out with Jack Bills doubling the advantage just before the break.

Leach then scored his second try before Paul Hulland went over. Leach and Alex Brazier each successfully kicked one conversion.

The result was even more impressive given that Cleobury played part of the match with 13 men.

"I would put it up there with our best performance of the season so far," said captain, Will Bache.

"Edwardians are not a bad side and are a pretty strong at home.

"It's only the first half of the season but I'm very happy where we are. Our goal was top six and I think we're good enough for that."

Cleobury remain ten points off top-of-the-table Tamworth who strengthened their grip at the summit with a 44-0 win over Burntwood.

Bishop's Castle had a weekend to forget after losing 26-0 at Rugeley in Midlands 4 West (North).

The heavy defeat against their fellow mid-table rivals was their third loss in a row and maintains the Staffordshire side's unbeaten home record.

Castle started the game well and almost opened the scoring but just failed to put the finishing touch to a good move.

On a small, boggy pitch the visitors found it difficult to unleash their fast set of backs and found themselves 14-0 down at the break.

The match saw Sonny Lane, Scott Corfield, George Lewis and Seb Bashford make their debuts for Castle whose standout players were John Naylor and Eddie Price.

Coach Darren Price said spirit remained high in the Bishop's Castle camp with plenty of young talent coming through.

In Midlands 5 West (North), Tenbury were awarded an away walkover from their scheduled trip to bottom-of-the-table Warley.