LUDLOW’S century had club officials reaching for the record books and coach Norman Stalker purring – but the demanding boss insisted there must be no let-up.

Stalker’s charges registered what is understood to be the club’s largest winning margin in the 110-0 walloping of struggling Eccleshall at the Linney on Saturday.

The 16 tries run in could also be a record but Ludlow did fall short of setting a new standard for point scoring having triumphed 115-7 over Bloxwich last season.

But it was the level of performance that really thrilled Stalker and he wants to shoot for the same in a bid to keep this season’s Midlands Three West (North) title tilt on track.

“To be honest, I expected a tough game,” said Stalker. “We struggled at their place but we produced the best performance I have seen since joining the club three years ago.

“It was also one of the best displays I have seen at this level, we were absolutely outstanding from start to finish. Some of the tries we scored were fabulous and we picked them off later on when they were shot and couldn’t cope.

“You hear coaches talking about teams being unplayable and we were on Saturday. I don’t think anyone in this league or the one above would have coped with us.

“The referee said we looked like a good level six side which was a massive compliment for a side playing at our level.

“You have to temper it a little by saying the opposition had a bad day but I was so pleased to see us keep our discipline and structure.

“It would have been easy for it to become a glory hunt for individuals, for the player with the most pace to be allowed to run riot but we didn’t do that.

“In a game like that last season, Will Sparrow would probably have scored five or six tries but he scored once because we play more as a team now. He put in players for well-constructed tries created by good handling and great timing. It is a reflection of what a good team we have become.

“It would be nice to think we could maintain some of that form for the rest of the season. I doubt we’ll play such a complete game in a hurry but if we keep that discipline, it should serve us well.”

Sam Thomas (3), Matt Davies (3), Will Norton, Jamie Simpson (2), Laurence Hughes, Jack Lines (2), Theo Hodnett, Will Sparrow and Russ Jones (2) got the tries with Sparrow kicking 15 out of 16 conversions.

Ludlow travel to league rivals Harborne in the quarter-final of the North Midlands Shield Plate on Saturday.