MIDLANDS Two West North champions Ludlow RFC were unable to do the double over old rivals Tamworth to cap their title-winning campaign as they slipped to a 35-30 defeat on their travels.
Ludlow – who clinched the title with two games to spare a week earlier – scored four tries but had to settle for two losing bonus points against their play-off chasing hosts.
Will Sparrow gave Ludlow the lead with an early penalty and scrum-half Rhys Perkins went over for a try two minutes later.
A weaving run by winger Tom Amphlett then gave Perkins an easy run-in and Sparrow’s conversion put Ludlow 15-0 ahead.
Tamworth fought back with two quickfire tries but Amphlett chased a kick to dive over and Sparrow converted to give Ludlow a 22-12 half-time lead.
A Sparrow penalty stretched the lead to ten points but another quickfire double for Tamworth, neither converted, levelled matters at 25-25.
Tamworth edged ahead with a penalty but Ludlow went 30-28 up when Perkins fed Jim Alderson to crash over.
However, Sparrow’s conversion hit the post and a series of forward drives saw Tamworth snatch the win with a converted try at the death.
Ludlow round off the season with their President’s Day this Saturday, featuring a host of games including the firsts welcoming Telford.
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