PROMOTION is the target for Ludlow, admitted head coach Mikey Jones after seeing his side continue their perfect start to the season by thrashing Walsall.

Jones’ party-poopers spoiled Walsall’s big day as they ran in seven tries to make it three bonus-point wins from three games and stay top of Midlands Two West North.

The match was Walsall’s first on their new 4G all-weather pitch but Ludlow had not read the script as they completely dominated their hosts.

This weekend, they host Camp Hill – who have also won three out of three – but Jones says Ludlow will go into the early-season top-of-the-table clash buzzing.

He said: “We have played a couple of the sides who were mid-table last season and we have put them away convincingly.

“I’ve been really impressed with the maturity the side has shown – when the opposition has the ball, we don’t panic any more.

“Last season we panicked quite a bit in those situations and it resulted in penalties or giving teams an advantage, but we’re not doing that now.

“Camp Hill, along with Wolverhampton, are a team we expect to be up there and they will be a tough side to break down but the way we are playing at the moment, we don’t fear anyone.

“Looking at the squad of players we have, if everyone stays fit, I think we can definitely push for one of the top two spaces.”

There were two tries each for flying winger Dan Ruell and full-back Joe Doyle at Walsall, and one for Will Hodnett at centre.

Joe's brother Charlie, playing at number eight, and Harry Small notched tries for the back row.

Will Sparrow unselfishly gave inside passes for both Doyle brothers to score and also notched all but one conversion, while Walsall were restricted to just two penalty kicks in reply.

There was also joy for Ludlow seconds as a Matt Wilkes hat-trick helped them to a 39-27 victory over Bromsgrove thirds.