LUDLOW RFC’s title hopes suffered a setback after they lost 24-8 to local rivals Clee Hill.

The game had been scheduled to take place at The Linney but torrential rain and an early inspection saw the match postponed.

That was until Clee Hill offered to switch the fixture after agreeing with Tenbury RFC that they would host the game. The return game at Ludlow has now been pencilled in for the end of the season.

It was a disappointing day all-round for Ludlow who had a number of regulars unavailable and the defeat saw them slip to third behind Tamworth and Newcastle in Midlands Three West (North).

Will Norton scored all his side’s points – a first half penalty and a second half try – after he took over the kicking duties from Will Sparrow who was one of those to miss out on the derby match.

“Fair play to Clee Hill, they out-scrummaged us and were the better side on the day,” said Ludlow spokesman Phil Norton. “They handled the conditions better than we did.

“We didn’t expect the game to be on once we had called it off at Ludlow so a few of the players were late getting to Tenbury. We didn’t have time to warm-up and when players arrived during the game we had to switch things around.”

One positive for the visitors though was the return of Matt Wilkes who had been out injured since before Christmas.

For Clee Hill though, the heavy pitch proved to be perfect for their powerful pack.

Spokesman Matt Bowen admitted: “It suited us down to the ground.

“We had a heavier, stronger pack full of farmers so we didn’t mind a bit of mud.

“We’re grateful to Tenbury for allowing us to use their ground.”

Clee Hill were handed the perfect start when they were awarded a penalty try with Allan Shields kicking the conversion.

Two more tries followed, from young back row George Newman and from hooker turner centre Ryan Holmes who ran half the length of the pitch to dot down.

But it was teenager Newman, a member of the Worcester Warriors Academy set-up, who was named man of the match.

“George is a Hill lad who’s been really good for us in the last few games,” Bowen added. “He’s doing well at Worcester but, when he can, he comes and helps us.”

Clee Hill will be hoping to make it four wins on the bounce when they play host to Cannock on Saturday – their final home game of the season.

Ludlow face another tricky test as they welcome league leaders Tamworth to The Linney keen to bounce back after two defeats.