One of Ludlow’s top rugby prospects, Eddie MacFarlane, has made a remarkable recovery from a broken back that had threatened to keep him out well beyond the end of season.
The highly-rated flanker suffered a broken vertebrae five months ago following an off-the-field accident – but has now astounded club officials by returning to action last weekend.
Doctors had given MacFarlane the surprise go-ahead to feature for the second team in last Saturday’s friendly fixture with Bridgnorth, and he came through with flying colours.
The club, however, will not rush his return to the first team who still have three games remaining in Midlands Three West (North) – but there is a chance he could feature before the end of the campaign.
“It’s been an unbelievable recovery as no-one thought he would be back playing so soon after fracturing his vertebrae,” said director of rugby Phil Norton.
“The doctor said there was no problem with him playing, so he turned out for the seconds last weekend and it’s great to see him back. It’s a tremendous achievement and says what a strong and fit lad he is.
“It’s a boost for the club, but we’ll be careful not to rush him back for the first team after such an injury.”
Ludlow have three league games remaining, but have no action this weekend before visiting Stafford the following Saturday.
Their challenge for runners-up spot has gone off the boil in recent times, but the Linney men will be keen to finish the season as high as possible.
“We’ve got three games left and we want to finish the season well and finish as high as we can and we’ll be going all out to win our next game against Stafford,” added Norton.
Ludlow will be doubly keen to bounce back after being dumped out of the North Mids Senior Vase with a disappointing 28-0 home defeat against Old Halesonians in the quarter-finals.
The tie had been hastily arranged for last Saturday with Ludlow without any league action, and the Linney side were well beaten by their visitors who play a league below.
Old Halesonians ran in four converted tries to maintain their excellent campaign, while leaving Ludlow to concentrate on the league and the end of season Shropshire Cup for which the draw will be made soon.
It was their second defeat this season at the hands of Old Halesonians who had also prevailed by just a few points on home soil in the EDF Vase in a far closer affair earlier in the campaign.
“We were the better side that day and could have won but last Saturday we certainly were not the better side and were well beaten,” admitted Norton.
“We were not expecting to be playing the game, so were not in the right frame of mind and it showed on the pitch. It was disappointing, but we’ve now just got to focus on winning our next game against Stafford.”
Ludlow were on the back foot from the outset, but their defence held firm against a side who have run away with division four this term.
The Midlands side were dominating the scrums and line-outs, but despite their possession they were made to work hard to find a way through the home defence.
The hosts themselves struggled to get out of their own half and trailed at the break to a converted try.
Old Halesonians underlined their superiority with three further tries in the second half.
Ludlow must wait before they can get the defeat out of their system as they have no league action this weekend, but are likely to send a team to the Lucton Sevens.
Flanker Tom Rawlings continues to be troubled by a back complaint, while centre Matt Sims is out for the rest of the season with a broken arm.
