LUDLOW head coach Mikey Jones is now focussed on a top four finish in Midlands Two West (North) after seeing his side pick up a maximum five points after a four-try 28-6 win at neighbours Cleobury Mortimer.

But he had to bide his time before impressive number 8 Josh Hill claimed the bonus point in the final minute of the game.

“We had targeted a place in the top five but the players are maturing a lot quicker than we thought and their progress is quicker,” Jones said.

“We are up to sixth now but feel that fourth place is realistic.

"If we can get there then we can look at third.”

It was Cleobury who chalked up the first points thanks to an Alex Brazier penalty awarded for offside.

Ludlow replied in style when, from the kick-off, a lovely kick from Kieran Price was gathered by Joe Doyle who passed to Will Sparrow for an easy run in.

Sparrow also kicked the conversion.

Brazier slotted over another penalty for the home side but the remainder of the half saw the visitors camped in the Cleobury 22.

Hooker Ben Chamberlain went close to diving over but the ball was recycled down the line to Sparrow who made the outside break with a wicked sidestep before releasing Doyle inside.

The player-coach still had a man to beat but made the line.

Ludlow's third try on 20 minutes was almost a repeat of the second with Doyle again scoring and Sparrow kicking the extras.

In the second half, the Ludlow forwards kept Cleobury pinned in their own half but some excellent Cleobury defending kept the visitors at bay.

Both Doyle and Laurence Hughes on the left wing squandered good chances to add to the scoreline.

Doyle chose to kick and chase when a simple outside break would almost certainly have got him to the line while Hughes got to within a metre before being brought down when a simple dive would probably have put him on the scoreboard.

It was left to scrum-half Rhys Perks and Hill to work their way down the blindside from a ten metre scrum to secure the four-try bonus, Sparrow again adding the conversion.

And for the head coach, it was fitting that it was Hill who completed the scoring.

“Josh had one of his best games on Saturday and it was good that he got the final try,” Jones said.

“He’s been playing second row and is the sort of player you can stick anywhere and he’ll still give everything.

"He’s played at eight in the last two games and has really enjoyed himself running with the ball in hand.”

Ludlow are without a game this weekend while Cleobury welcome Ledbury in the North Midlands Shield Plate.