Sat 11 Oct 2025
Ludlow 22-6 Stratford
Stratford travelled down to Ludlow this week expecting a tough test, as it always is down at the Linney. The only thing you know you will see is the picturesque Castle overlooking the ground. The game started with a knock-on from the kick-off by Stratford gifting possession to Ludlow, but they won the ball back with a very efficient scrum drive, a theme for the day.
The first 15 passed quickly with both teams breaking through midfield defence, Stratford with sheer power from; (not a veteran, only 28-year-old) Tom Stanley, Zak Amond and Michael Dawes; and Ludlow slicing through or benefiting from slipped tackles. Ludlow opened the scoring at the end of this passage following a penalty which allowed them a lineout close to the Stratford line. Multiple phases, including a potential knock-on, sucked the Stratford defenders in allowing Ludlow to score in the far-left corner, despite the ball going to ground before the final player gathered from the floor. The kick was missed, and it was 5-0 to the hosts.
Not long later, Stratford Centre and kicker Dan Whitby brought it back to 5-3 dissecting the post from a penalty on the Ludlow 10 m line following Ludlow hands in at the ruck. The relatively uneventful, in terms of point scoring, half continued at a pace with knock-on’s, ball strips, crossing and forward passes spoiling the best of Stratford’s opportunities to score tries. The bright blue hat of lock Amond broke through multiple times, no doubt clocking some PB speeds for the season, but the final pass was not quite there.
Both defences worked very hard in the first half with multiple turnovers each way and a focus on stifling each other’s attack. The half came to an end shortly after Ludlow came close to scoring but knocked on in a crunching defensive tackle, however they still led 5-3 at the break.
After Ludlow knocked on the kick-off from the restart, Stratford went on the attack moving both left and right and came close in the far corner but couldn’t quite get in. The referee had been playing advantage, he brought the game back for a penalty in a very kickable position for Stratford, Whitby unusually pushed the kick to the right of the posts. Keeping up the pressure, two minutes later Whitby had another chance to redeem himself, almost a mirror image of his kick position in the first half, the ball sailed between the posts and moved Stratford into a 5-6 lead.
Ludlow then began building a more sustained attack, increasing their percentage of possession of the ball and putting pressure on the Stratford line. Stratford’s three substitutes, all called up from the larger squad to replace some injuries and absences, could see they would be in for a tough test when they came on. Stratford spurned a possible opportunity down the right wing having appeared to have got the better of some kick tennis, Stanley took a tackle and offloaded to his right where Stratford had a three on two in a tight space, but there was cover from the Ludlow 15, a forward pass brought it to an end.
Stratford were made to pay five minutes later when Ludlow scored their second try of the match. Once into the Stratford red zone the Ludlow six and eight went to work bouncing off defenders but somehow continuing to go forward. A ruck right on the Stratford try line allowed a Ludlow forward to pick the ball and flop over just to the left of it. With the conversion, Ludlow moved back into the lead, making the score 12-6. Ludlow moved further ahead not long after, back in the red zone courtesy of a penalty they used multiple forward phases to draw in the defenders and then went in on the far-right side, this time missing the conversion, 17-6.
Stratford might have known it would not be their day when, having had an attacking lineout in the corner courtesy of a penalty in midfield, they took a clean catch and started to drive in field. Stanley (100% not a veteran, only 28-year-old) was pulled to the floor off the side of the maul and pushed the defender in the chest while standing up to rejoin it, only to be penalised and sin binned for an apparent push to the face. The Ludlow fans rejoiced but must also have been mystified by the cause of the yellow card.
With 10 minutes left and just after the introduction of Stratford’s youthful bench, including first team debuts for Sam Ragg and Yashi Joshi, there was still a chance Stratford could get back into the game. Stratford had a large amount of possession in these 10 minutes, earning turnover penalties via jackals at the ruck and Ludlow kicking to try and gain better field position.
Frustratingly for Stratford, the game came to an end shortly after an accidental offside gave Ludlow prime attacking position and they went on in the right-hand side for their final try of the match. Strangely, as often happens, just after the reintroduction of Stanley.
A tough day out for Stratford, 22-6 at the final whistle and a long bus journey home to contemplate what didn’t work on the day. Stratford’s task will not be any easier next week when they host top of the league Moseley Oak at Pearcecroft, Saturday, October 18 3 PM KO. Lock and occasional stand in prop, Zak Amond was awarded Stratford’s Man of the Match for his busting runs and turnovers, something which will be very much required next weekend.
Stratford XV: 1. Michael Dawes* 2. Ben Cole* (C) 3. Tom Stanley* 4. Zak Amond* 5. Laurence Birch* 6. Dom Wan* 7. Toby Mendes 8. Jamie Jones* 9. Jake Lowe 10. Luke Jelley 11. Charle Billings* 12. Dan Whitby 13. Charlie Powell* 14. Ben Humphreys 15. Jo Cook* 16. Sam Ragg* 17. Chay Pusey* 18. Yashi Joshi*
*Denotes product of Stratford minis and juniors
