AFC LUDLOW might be sitting pretty at the top of the tree heading into 2016 - but manager Dave Cooper says the job is only half done.

His charges have raced to the summit of the West Midlands (Regional) League Division One and are on course for their second promotion in three seasons.

Cooper admits he is enjoying the ride but knows there is plenty of hard work still to do.

"There will be ups and downs between now and the end of the season, but it's in our hands," said Cooper.

"From pre-season I think we've looked good. We have been everything we weren't last year."

AFC Ludlow finished the last campaign in sixth place having come up as champions from Division Two the previous year.

Cooper says it's difficult to single out players but believes some are particularly deserving of a mention.

"We have been more consistent," he said.

"We fell over against the lesser sides near the bottom last season but we have not done that this year.

"Jamie Edwards has come in and made our squad that bit stronger.

"Kieron Dovey and Dale Hodge have also been great, as has Jamie Hammonds. But to be honest, I would say anyone who has put on our shirt has been a credit to the club.

"But it's only half the job done."

Ludlow are a dozen points clear at the top, although second-placed Hereford Lads Club have four games in hand on them.

"They've got those games on us but it's a big gap," added Cooper.

"The club is a good place to be at the moment. To gain promotion is what we set out for and we are half way there."

Success is also in the air for the town's rugby club which is riding high in Midlands 3 West (North).

The Linney outfit were relegated last term but have taken to life in the lower division well with only two league defeats so far this campaign as they sit fourth.

"We struggled to get one team out over the past couple of seasons but now it's different. We have a regular second team," said Phil Norton, the club's spokesman.

"Players are developing very well which is good as we need to have experience.

"Will Sparrow has come back to us and scored a lot of tries. Mark Williams at fly-half has been with us for a number of years now and is still going strong.

"And we also have got a very good set of backs. We are scoring lots of points because of them."

Norton said the side's young set of forwards are getting stronger by the game, giving the club reasons to be optimistic.

"If we can keep them together then in a few years we will have a very good side," he said.

"The ideal thing for this campaign would be to keep in the title race right to the end of the season."

They return to action at Eccleshall on January 9.