Rugby- Ludlow chalk up ninth win to continue their improved form

FLY-HALF Mark Williams starred for Ludlow when he contributed 24 points, including a hat-trick of tries, as the south Shropshire team notched their ninth win of the season to consolidate their position in the top half of the Midlands 4 West (North) table.

The home pack set up the first try when they stole Leek line-out ball to drive to within a couple of yards of the visitors line. When they were halted scrum-half Gareth Edwards moved the ball sharply to Williams who slipped down the blindside to open the scoring.

He narrowly missed the conversion and shortly afterwards missed the chance to extend Ludlow's lead when he pulled a penalty attempt wide.

Another powerful forward drive led to the second try. This time it was illegally stopped and skipper Jake Parkes took a quick tapped penalty to feed Williams. The fly-half sliced through the Leek defence to touch down under the posts, and for good measure added the extra points.

Leek responded just before the break with a fine break from their elusive fly-half half, who also added the conversion to close the gap to five points.

After the interval Ludlow's forwards continued to hold sway and it was another strong drive which saw Phil Dorke crash over near the posts, Williams landing the conversion.

Flanker Paul Wright set up the final try when he put in a strong tackle as Leek attacked in Ludlow's half.

The ball was hacked down-field and Williams outpaced the cover to gather and cross for his hat-trick try, the conversion and a further penalty confirming a comfortable victory.