LUDLOW might have gone close to a cricket score in battering Cannock but coach Norman Stalker reserved the plaudits for his defence.

Stalker lavished praise on his Midlands Three West (North) leaders for becoming the first team to prevent Cannock scoring this season in a 74-0 success at the Linney.

Will Sparrow (3), Russ Jones (2), Matt Davies, Sam Wilkes, Jack Lines and Andy Martin were among the tries but the free-flowing nature of the triumph was not at the forefront of Stalker’s mind.

“It was a focus of ours to improve our defence in pre-season and for that to be the most impressive thing about our play from a match in which we scored so many tries was fabulous,” he said.

“The defence was just relentless and it was one of those days where everything went well in an impressive, comprehensive performance.

“The second half was probably the most one-sided I have seen in a long time. I don’t know how we only ended up with 74 to be honest, we could easily have been looking at 100 or more.

“They just could not cope and I felt for Cannock. They were a strong, physical side and they didn’t give up, they were still bashing away at our line until the last minute.

“The tries seemed to be coming from everywhere and it was the most complete performance since I have been at the club.”

Ludlow’s title charge, dented by a narrow defeat to second-placed Burntwood recently, was also boosted by local rivals Cleobury Mortimer losing 36-28 at Handsworth.

Quizzed on the credence of Cleobury’s charge, bullish Stalker replied: “They can’t afford to lose any more, that’s for sure.

“Alongside Burntwood, we don’t look like getting beaten by anyone else and they only got the better of us with the last play of a game that could have gone either way.

“Nobody else has got near us so, based on current form, the teams under the top two need to go on a really good run.

“We keep getting bonus-point wins which makes life harder for everyone underneath but we’re only halfway through the season.

“We have weathered some injuries but there will be a period where they hurt us, it happens to every club at some point.

“If you get a run of front-row injuries, your game can change in a heartbeat but fortunately, we haven’t suffered with that.”

Stalker is without Sam Wilkes and Ant Marfell from his front row as Ludlow round off the year with a derby date at struggling Clee Hill on Saturday (2.15).

“I have no worries, we have quality coming in to replace them but it is a derby and whether I like it or not, that makes a difference,” said Stalker.

“They will raise their game just because they are playing the neighbours. The league positions will make no difference, they will play like a team at the top of the league. It will be a tough one.”