FRUSTRATED coach Joe Doyle bagged a try in each half for Ludlow RFC only to see his side edged out by a solitary points at home to Midlands Two West (North) high-fliers Crewe & Nantwich.

Scrum-half Rhys Perkins and winger Lawrence Hughes also crossed the line but the visitors managed to hold on to claim a nail-biting 27-26 win.

“It’s frustrating to get so close but we’ve come away with two bonus points,” Doyle said.

“We could easily have folded towards the end but we’ve kept plugging away and managed to get that fourth try.

“By all accounts it was a good game to watch and we are still on target to finish in the top four or five.”

Doyle’s second try earned the double bonus but it was the opening score from Perkins which earned the coach’s praise, particularly the clever side-step from prop Theo Hodnett in the build-up.

Cleobury Mortimer’s dismal run in Midlands Two West (North) continued as they suffered a 54-10 defeat at Newcastle (Staffs).

The visitors scored two first half tries through Elliot Murphy and Jack Bills but the home side rann out convincing winners.

Cleobury have won just twice this season and the last of those was at the start of November.

Both Ludlow and Cleobury are without games on Saturday and return to action on March 3rd with the former heading to Kidderminster while the basement boys host fellow strugglers Old Saltleians.

Clee Hill’s match with Church Stretton in Midlands Four West (North) was postponed.

Meanwhile, former Ludlow RFC president Gerry Acton has been presented with a plaque by England coach Eddie Jones, part of his prize for being nominated as the Midlands representative in the Mitsubishi Volunteer of the Year awards.

Acton has given more than 50 years service to the rugby club, first as player and then as President and a driving force on the committee of which he is still a member.