IT WAS a case of double trouble as Ludlow’s promotion hopes were shattered in rugby’s Midlands Two West (North).
Needing to defeat arch rivals Old Saltleians, the Linney men succumbed 36-8 to effectively end their challenge for the runners-up spot and the play-offs. But the south
Shropshire men had been left reeling even before the game as they learned of a possible two-point deduction.
As they looked forward to the showdown, news filtered through that they faced the points loss for fielding an ineligible player, South African Jabulani Motloung, against Ashbourne a few weeks earlier.
Ludlow were told Motloung’s six-month visa had run out, but the club plan to appeal against the decision. “It certainly affected us on Saturday,” said spokesman Phil Norton. “It does seem a bit harsh, but rules are rules.
“However, any optimism that we could have reached the play-offs has now gone. Hopefully we can finish the season well. We’ve got three games left in the league and we’ll need to win them all to make sure we finish third.”
Ludlow were in the hunt at half time, trailing just 10-3 with Will Norton landing a penalty. However, Old Salts extended their advantage after the break with a converted try before flanker Russell Jones’s try reduced the deficit to 17-8.
Old Salts took charge in the final 20 minutes, scoring three further tries and adding two conversions to claim their play-off place.
Without a league game tomorrow, Ludlow were hoping to arrange their Shropshire Cup first round clash with Whitchurch for sometime this week.