THE stakes are high as Ludlow’s rugby players head for Lichfield tomorrow in a game that could have a significant bearing on their promotion prospects in Midlands Two West (North).
The two sides go into the game locked on 14 points following seven wins and one defeat from their opening eight encounters, knowing that victory would take them clear into second spot. And with Aston Old Edwardians going great guns in top spot with eight straight wins, the battle may well centre on who finishes in the runners-up spot this term.
Having defeated close rivals Dixonians 9-6 in their last action two weeks ago, which marked the club’s 75th anniversary celebrations, the mood in the Linney camp is justifiably full of confidence. But they know tomorrow’s encounter could well shape the promotion picture as they head to the halfway stage of the season.
“If we lose to Lichfield, they will creep away from us so it’s a real four-pointer on Saturday,” said Ludlow’s director of rugby Phil Norton. “With Aston Old Eds going really well at the top, it could be about who finishes second with three or four teams up there.
“Tomorrow will be our biggest game of the season in the league, we don’t know much about them, but that is not always a bad thing. The top five are all pretty close, then there is a bit of a gap. Although it would be nice to win tomorrow, it would not be the end of the world as we’ve still got the return fixture to come later in the season.”
Ludlow, who looked sharp in practice this week, hope to be close to full strength with most of the side who defeated Dixonians in their last outing available. “We’ve been training hard and everyone is looking forward to the game,” added Norton.
“The win against Dixonians has put us right up there and tomorrow’s game at Lichfield will give us a good indication as to how well we are doing this season.”
Rugby round-up and match reports: see this week’s South Shropshire Journal