LUDLOW RFC’S hopes of a league and cup double were dashed as they lost 24-14 at a well-drilled Kidderminster side in the semi-final of the North Midlands Shield.

Kidderminster – third in Midlands Two West South, the equivalent division to Ludlow’s - used their speedy backs to good effect and had three tries on the board within 25 minutes.

Midlands Two West North table-toppers Ludlow, for their part, could do little right, not helped by several players being forced to play out of position.

Ludlow were 19-0 down at half time and, just as they threatened to score, Kiddeminster's wing scooped up a stray pass and ran the length of the field to take the score to 24-0.

The visitors did win the second half with tries from Jack Lines and Jim Alderson, while Rhys Perkins, out for most of the season with a shoulder injury, and Jamie Durban also impressed.