LUDLOW RFC hope to have winger Sam Thomas back in their ranks for Saturday’s clash at home to Tamworth in Midlands Two West (North).

And backs coach Joe Doyle is hoping the players will be able to maintain the form they showed at the tail end of 2017.

“Sam was with us last season but we sat down with him in the summer and he said he wanted to try his hand at Malvern,” Doyle explained.

“For one reason or another, things haven’t worked out so we’re delighted to have him back.

"Hopefully we can get the paperwork done so that he is available for the weekend.

Ludlow showed some good form towards the end of last year, beating Old Saltleians and Kidderminster while losing narrowly to Leek and leaders Whitchurch.

Doyle added: “We’ve put in some good performances but didn’t get the rub of the green in some of the games.

"But it all came together against Old Salts when we scored a lot of points.

“We trained between Christmas and New Year and have two sessions this week.

"We didn’t put in a very good display when we went to Tamworth so we owe them a performance.”

Cleobury Mortimer also return to Midlands Two West (North) action on Saturday and face a tough test at high-fliers Crewe & Nantwich.

The Love Lane side have won just twice this season with the last of these coming against fellow strugglers Newcastle at the start of November.

Church Stretton face a crunch match in Midlands Four West (North) when they head to basement side Yardley & District.

Stretton have yet to win this season but their opponents prop up the table after being docked eight points.

Elsewhere in the division, Clee Hill play host to Wednesbury, while in Midlands Five West (North), leaders Bishop's Castle head to Chaddesley Corbett.