Following the big freeze, Aston slumped to back-to-back League defeats at the hands of promotion rivals Ludlow and they can have few complaints as the better side triumphed.
In their first game since 12th December, Aston were without Andy Tovey, Tom McNamee, Dave Fenton and Martin Franklin, as well as long term absentees Blake Bennett and Player/Coach Allan Mitchell.
With the advantage of the slope, Ludlow made an enterprising start and could have taken the lead after only 2 minutes only for Will Norton’s long range penalty attempt to fall short.
However, Norton quickly redeemed himself by converting a similar penalty chance on 4 minutes to give the visitors a 3-0 lead.
Things didn’t improve much for the home side and on 14 minutes flanker Jamie Willetts was yellow carded for a high tackle on Ludlow winger Jabulani Motloung. Fortunately for the home side Norton missed the resultant penalty chance to extend the lead.
To their credit Aston began to work their way back into the game and after 20 minutes following a period of sustained pressure in the Ludlow 22 they deservedly went ahead when fly half Adam Kyle forced his way over from close range following an attacking 5 metre scrum for his 5th try of the season. Kyle successfully converted his own try to establish a 7-3 lead.
Ludlow 2nd row forward Jake Parkes was shown a yellow card after 23 minutes for a stamping offence.
After 32 minutes, Ludlow regained the lead when their young fly half, Joe Doyle, scored an outstanding individual try. Running from broken play, Doyle left a trail of despairing Aston defenders in his wake before touching down under the posts. Norton’s simple conversion gave the visitors a 10-7 lead.
After 36 minutes, Kyle missed a chance to reduce the deficit when he dragged his penalty attempt wide.
As the game swung from end to end, it was Aston who were to score next when after 38 minutes, No 8 forward Paul Horrocks forced his way over by the corner flag. Kyle’s excellent touchline conversion saw the home side go back in front 14-10, a lead they were to hold till half time..
On the stroke of half time Ludlow suffered a blow when promising young flanker Oliver James had to leave the field suffering from concussion.
At half time Michael Tate replaced Jamie Willetts in the Aston back row.
From the kick off, Aston were penalised but Norton was unable to take advantage of the offering and neither was he after 44 minutes when another penalty chance sailed wide.
A minute later, after yet another Aston infringement, Norton was successful with a penalty goal straight in front of the posts to reduce the Aston lead to 14-13.
Although playing up the slope it was the visitors who were gaining control, especially at half back where Norton and Doyle were outstanding and it came as no great surprise when after 52 minutes when winger Nicholas Morris went over to restore the Ludlow lead 18-14, with Norton’s conversion attempt going wide.
After 64 minutes Norton missed his 6th kick at goal of the afternoon when his penalty attempt again went wide. No doubt, had Norton kicked his goals Ludlow would have been out of sight well before the end.
Aston Coach Allan Mitchell’s response after 66 minutes was to introduce James Parkes and Elgan Hughes in place of Adam Baldock and Terry Finn.
Despite the best efforts of open side back row forward Marcus Harewood, scrum half Dean Morris and centre Andy Wood to get the home side back in the game, it was Ludlow fly half Doyle who was dictating matters. Ludlow didn’t panic in possession and were willing to build phases of play, whereas on the other hand, Aston were rushing everything with little continuity in their play.
After 70 minutes Ludlow scored a breakaway try from a quick throw in from deep inside their own half. Centre Tom Walters was the man to touch down and Norton’s successful conversion extended the lead for the visitors to 25-14 and seemingly no way back for the home side.
Experienced prop forward Matt Ferguson was brought on in place of Tony Oliver after 71 minutes to bolster the Ludlow front row.
However, credit must go to the home side for a valiant late attempt to save the game. Never knowing when they were beaten Aston fought back and, from close in after 74 minutes, Paul Horrocks scored his 2nd try of the afternoon and his 5th of the season. Adam Kyle’s successful conversion reduced the deficit to 25-21 leaving all to play for.
In a game that the neutral would have found enthralling, Aston gave it everything in an attempt to secure the score they needed to win the game, but at vital times they just lacked the composure to gain the necessary field position from where they could launch a telling move.
In the end, Ludlow deservedly held out for a 25-21 victory that sees them right back in the promotion hunt and avenges Aston’s impressive 25-0 win at Ludlow back in October.
Aston Coach Allan Mitchell conceded afterwards that the better won and was critical of his side’s tackling that saw them concede 3 tries, “I thought we scummaged well but that was about it. They ran through us too easily which isn’t like us. The lack of fitness also of some of our players following the long break was quite alarming. You could certainly tell who had and hadn’t been training regularly.”

Team: Chris Goldsmith(Capt), Adam Baldock, Sean Dunne, Jules Phipps, Paul Finnemore, Jamie Willetts, Marcus Harewood, Paul Horrocks, Dean Morris, Adam Kyle, Terry Finn, Andy Wood, Chris Balmforth, Lea Ross, Rob Chesner. Subs: Mick Tate (for Willetts h/t), James Parkes (for Baldock 66 mins), Elgan Hughes (for Finn 66 mins).
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On Saturday, 30th January, Aston are at away in a local derby at Moor Lane, Perry Barr to Lordswoood Dixonians, kick off 2.15pm.
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Aston 2nd XV won 45-12 at home to Stafford 2nd’s in a Staffs Merit Table fixture. Dave Foster(2), Mickey Watts(2), Dan Lastun, Darren Gardner and Ian Wilson scored tries, with Mickey Watts also kicking 5 conversions.

Aston 3rd XV won 36-6 at home to Wyvern. Sam Bradley(2), Dave Rudd, Craig Russell, and 17 year olds Gareth Jones and debutant Harry Baldock scored tries, with conversions being kicked by Gareth Jones(2) and Harry Baldock.

The 4th XV lost 28-8 at Birminham Exiles 3rd’s in a Lower League fixture. Richard Markham scored a try and Chris Turner kicked a penalty goal.