COACH Norman Stalker reckons last season's promotion heartache could be a blessing in disguise as Ludlow look to go one better in 2017.

A last-day defeat to local rivals Cleobury Mortimer ensured Ludlow would not overhaul second-placed Newcastle but they lead Midlands Three West (North) by a point this time around.

And Stalker believes his squad will be far better equipped for the rigours of Midlands Two rugby should they see through their dream.

“We realised there were two games, the defeats at Burntwood and Newcastle, that cost us last season,” said Stalker.

“Having targeted our defence as an area for improvement, it has been a bonus that we have still amassed a lot of points in games as well. My only surprise is that we are only a point clear after doing so well but you cannot control how other teams do.

“The number-one priority is to go up, as nice as it would be to repeat the first half of the season and finish on top.

“I think we are ready for promotion and to be competitive in the league above now, which is where we want to be. We are far better now and the difference is the way the team manages games.

“I look back at our match at Eccleshall earlier this season. We had a horrible 50-60 minutes and looked like we would get beaten but we were able to keep our discipline and turn around the game in the final 15 minutes.

“We might have lost that game the previous season but this time we came away with a bonus-point victory.

“If we had gone up last season, I think we would have survived but I don’t know how competitive we would have been.

“We would be now. I look at Tamworth, last season’s champions, sitting fifth in the league above. They were the best team at the time, no question, but if they can do that, I think the team we have now could emulate it.

“That said, Newcastle have struggled so it is no good talking about it, we have to go out there and prove it. That’s why the second half of this season is so important.

“We have to keep going. Like most teams sitting top of any league, our biggest opponent could be ourselves.

“It is easy to get complacent, to go into games thinking ‘this is an easy one’ and then get embarrassed because you have underestimated an opponent.”

Ludlow return to action with a home clash against second-bottom Eccleshall on Saturday.

The weekend’s football sees Ludlow Colts host Fownhope Reserves, Orleton Colts Reserves entertain Holme Lacy Reserves and Woofferton travel to Hinton Reserves in Herefordshire Division One on Saturday.

In the Premier Division, Orleton Colts travel to Leominster Town (all 2pm).