LUDLOW kept their hopes of a Midlands Two West (North) top four finish alive with an emphatic bonus point victory at Newcastle, running out 33-17 winners.

But they didn’t have it all their own way with the big Newcastle pack pinning the visitors in their own half for long periods.

But with the Ludlow defence solid, there were chances to pick off their hosts whenever they turned the ball over and moved it wide at speed, backs and forwards combining to make huge gains.

Newcastle were first on the scoreboard with a penalty after just four minutes but this was cancelled out a minute later when Ludlow scrum-half Rhys Perks made the first of a series of breaks. The ball was recycled, swung wide and then an infringement allowed Will Sparrow to level from the resulting penalty.

Sure-footed Sparrow was on the board again with a massive penalty from the halfway line to put Ludlow ahead and they extended that advantage by claiming the first try of the afternoon through Jim Alderson. The back row made big yardage through the middle and when he was finally brought down, good follow-up work resulted in Perks spotting Alderson and he was able to dot down in the corner. Sparrow’s conversion made it 13-3.

Newcastle might well be struggling in the bottom third of the table but their powerful pack forced their way over the line following a series of drives for a converted try to close to within three points.

But the visitors rounded off the opening period in style. Sparrow slotted over another penalty and then a superb break by skipper and number 8 Matt Davies punched a hole through the Newcastle backs. He found Perks to his right with a lovely pass and the scrum-half raced to the corner to take the half time score to 21-10.

The game’s twists and turns continued after the break when Ludlow second row Stefan Anthony was forced off with a shoulder injury and then his replacement Jaimie Simpson picked up a yellow card for lying on the ball after making a try-saving tackle.

The hosts made their extra man count as they rumbled over for a second converted try but any hopes of a home victory were thwarted by a late brace of tries from Ludlow winger Lawrence Hughes.

His first followed good work from Sparrow who fielded a clearance at speed, beat the first man before spinning it wide for Hughes to score on the wing.

With the Newcastle forwards tiring, the fitter Ludlow pack began to take control and just when it looked as if they would score a well deserved pushover try, Perks plucked the ball from the scrum and spun it out for Hughes to score his second to secure a bonus point win. Sparrow converted.

Elsewhere in the league, Cleobury Mortimer were beaten 38-5 at Veseyans, winger Sid Gittens scoring a first half try.