Ludlow will have one eye on next season as they look to get back on track in rugby’s Midlands Three West (North) at home to Old Saltleians tomorrow.
Having seen their promotion hopes dashed in recent weeks, the Linney men will be keen to ensure their campaign does not drift away in their final two games.
“Our coach Stuart Jardine is treating the last two games as a start to our pre-season for next season,” said director of rugby Phil Norton.
“We are working hard to get back to the way we were playing before Christmas.
“It came back a bit against Bishop’s Castle, and we’re looking to improve on that.”
The lighter evenings have helped the cause with the team now able to run through full training drills.
Points, however, promise to be hard earned tomorrow against Old Salts who need one more win to secure league survival.
The Linney men are waiting on the fitness of centre Mark Wozencroft who suffered a reaction to an ankle injury on his appearance as substitute in last weekend’s 48-6 victory at neighbours Bishop’s Castle in the Shropshire Cup.
Joe Doyle led the way for the visitors with a hat-trick of tries, while Gareth Edwards went over twice along with Wozencroft.
Mark Williams was in fine form with the boot as he successfully landed all six conversions as well as two penalties.
Castle battled bravely and got some reward with two penalties of their own by fly half Mark Willis.
Wing forward Darren Price, prop Gavin Randall and No 8 Andy Dale also shone for the hosts, who are languishing one league below Ludlow.
Castle, who kept going throughout, opened with a penalty from Willis before Edwards put the visitors ahead with a try after a good break from winger Jack Smith.
Williams kicked a conversion and then a penalty before full back Doyle opened his account with a converted try to make the score 20-3 at half time.
Castle started the second half strongly, with Willis reducing the arrears with his second penalty, and it was only in the last 15 minutes that Ludlow took charge by running in four more tries.
Doyle added two more touchdowns, his first a run from halfway before rounding off a fine forward rumble for his hat-trick, while Edwards bagged his second of the game.
Substitute Wozencroft grabbed his team’s last try as Ludlow set up a semi-final clash, probably against Whitchurch, who take on Telford in their first round clash.