LUDLOW coach Norman Stalker refused to let euphoria overshadow expectation after a storming ten-try taming of Wednesbury last weekend.

The Linneymen swept to a spectacular 66-5 victory and have now won five of their seven games since being relegated into Midlands 3 West (North) - and are tucked in second place in the table behind Tamworth, who came down with them last season.

Stalker said:?“We were outstandingly good at times on Saturday, and some of our handling in very wet and windy conditions was awesome.

“But Wednesbury were poor to be honest and nobody should be getting carried away. We are making decent progress at the club with greater strength in depth and we are playing some good rugby.

“There is also plenty of confidence about the side but we are still playing in fits and starts and we know we have to match teams who are physically stronger than us and starve us of the ball. Both Tamworth and Cleobury Mortimer did that and we lost both games. We need to make sure we learn from those defeats.”

Despite some dreadful weather, Ludlow were guilty of few handling errors against outclassed Wednesbury, and scored at regular intervals.

First-half tries from Rob Davies, Tom Evans, Chris Humphreys, Matt Wilkes and Mark Williams, with Will Sparrow kicking four conversions, gave them a clear 33-5 half-time lead.

Flankers Davies and Humphreys were quick to the breakdown which enabled Ludlow to have early ball and the backs used it very impressively in difficult conditions.

In the second half further tries followed from Sam Wilkes, Matt Wilkes and a hat-trick of touchdowns from Sparrow, who also kicked another four conversions to finish with a bumper personal tally of 31 points.

Williams was again outstanding, two new players, brothers Craig and Dan Llewellyn, both made impressive debuts from the bench and the only minus on an afternoon of plusses was a serious ankle injury to Davies.

Stalker said: “I?went to see Rob in Shrewsbury Hospital on Monday and he has suffered both a dislocated and fractured ankle. Sadly it looks like his season is over.”

Ludlow 2nd were beaten 25-5 by Bridgnorth 2nd but included a lot of new players and took plenty of credit from a battling performance.