LUDLOW RFC suffered their first home defeat of the season in Midlands Three West (North) as local rivals Cleobury Mortimer edged a 21-20 win to secure the league double over their neighbours.

And Ludlow’s leading points scorer Will Sparrow admitted the better team won on the day.

“It was a case of them wanting it more at the breakdown,” the full-back said. “We had beaten everyone else at home this season but we didn’t perform and the better team won on the day.

“It’s disappointing to lose that record but things look good for the club and if we continue to play the sort of rugby that we have for most of this season then I think we can challenge next time.”

There was little to choose between the sides throughout a tense game with both sides scoring two tries apiece.

Cleobury, who took the spoils 40-22 when the sides met back in October, opened the scoring when inside centre Tom Leach powered his way over the line but this was cancelled out by Ludlow’s Sam Thomas, Sparrow’s conversion handing the home side a narrow lead.

Dave Leach and Sparrow then exchanged penalties before another Leach kick gave the visitors an 11-10 interval lead.

The second half was just as nerve-wracking. Another kick from Sparrow restored the home side’s advantage only for Cleobury to score their second try of the game when a catch and drive move from a line-out resulted in hooker Jack Bills dotting down with Leach kicking the extras.

But Ludlow hit back through a Mark Williams try, converted by Sparrow only for Leach to slot over his third penalty of the game ten minutes from time to hand the points to the visitors.

Delighted Cleobury captain Will Bache praised his players.

“Things probably went our way on the day,” he said. “They butchered a few chances when they should have scored and although they probably had the better players individually, I thought we put in the better team performance and that’s what won us the game.

“We knew it was going to be difficult as they’d not been beaten at their place all season. And we had to do without no8 Paul Hulland, who is a big player for us, as his partner gave birth to a little boy the night before.

“But it is a pleasing way to finish the season and the club is in a positive position. All we can do is to try and build and continually make the team stronger.”

The result confirmed Cleobury’s fourth place with Ludlow finishing six points above them in third.