LUDLOW RFC head coach Mikey Jones admitted bigger tests are to come this month after his side came close to putting 100 points past Droitwich.

The Linney side handed out a 99-0 thrashing to go fourth in Midlands One West but visit Hereford this Saturday before tackling unbeaten pair Kenilworth and Lichfield later in October.

“We have a difficult month coming up,” acknowledged Jones, “and I genuinely think it will be a good indicator of where we are and how close or far off the pace we are going to be.

“We know we are not going to win every game but to beat the better sides, to get the scalp of one or both of the top two, that’s definitely an aim for us.”

First up are Hereford though and Jones added: “It’s a very hard place to go, they are very well coached and it’s going to be a huge test.

“Hopefully, though, they will look at the points we’ve put on the board and worry about how they will stop us.”

James Mear scored four tries as Ludlow ruthlessly shut out a Droitwich side rooted to the foot of the table.

“We don’t expect to put that many points on a team, especially so early in a season,” added Jones, “but we were angry we didn’t manage to get to 100 as we butchered a couple of other tries.”

In Midlands Three West North, Clee Hill lost 34-7 at Telford Hornets while Cleobury Mortimer fell 25-13 at Shrewsbury.

Tenbury lost 40-10 at home to Burbage in Midlands Three West South while Bishops Castle and Onny Valley were beaten 59-0 at Stone in Midlands Five.

On the hockey field, meanwhile, Ludlow men’s first XI suffered a 6-2 defeat at Stafford despite two penalty corner strikes from Matt Blount.

The second XI also lost 6-2 to Lichfield sixths but Ludlow Ladies began their league season with a convincing 5-0 victory at Harborne.

Tenbury Ladies firsts lost 4-1 at Bromsgrove seconds in the Worcestershire Women’s League, with Lindsey Aldridge-Bufton getting their goal while the seconds, who had to play the first half with only nine outfield players and no keeper due to traffic issues, lost 2-1 to Droitwich.