MIKEY Jones admits his Ludlow RFC side have been ‘hammered’ with fitness drills in pre-season – in a bid to prevent a repeat of their slow start last term.

Ludlow kicked off their friendlies with a 24-22 win at Newtown last Saturday but head coach Jones says it is the work being done on the training pitch that is important.

His side will be embarking on their second successive season at Midlands Two West North level when the action kicks off on September 8 – and Jones insists they will be ready.

He said: “We had a slow start last season so we have hammered the boys with fitness this pre-season.

“If we had won three or four games at the start of the season that we should have won, we would have been competing for the top two or three spots in the league.”

Ludlow bagged four tries at Newtown, with Will Sparrow showing his opposite number a clean pair of heels to score the first.

New signing Charlie Doyle also showed a good turn of speed to gather an interception in his own half and score under the posts.

Centre Mike Jones scored virtually a carbon copy of Doyle’s try, while Sam Thomas rounded off the scoring although plenty of points from Newtown’s rolling maul ensured the scoreline was closer than it should have been.

The head coach, whose side visit Builth Wells in their second friendly on Thursday night, added: “There’s not too much to read into the game.

“In parts we played really well and in other parts we looked a bit rusty but that is to be expected in the first game back.

“We were the better side and the scoreline probably flattered Newtown a little bit. But the game did give me the chance to look at the new players in the squad.”

Jones has kept the entirety of last season’s squad and added five new faces including Luctonians back row pair Doyle and Harry Small.

Another ex-Luctonians man, Dan Ruell, also joins, while second row Stuart Lewis and back rower Tom Rawlings return to the club.

Jones, whose side visit newly-promoted Telford Hornets in their league opener, added: “No one left during the summer which was great so all we have done is add to the side.

“And the new additions we have made will provide a bit more competition within the team.”