1st XV
Matches
Sat 02 Apr 2016  ·  Midlands 3 West (North)
Ludlow
47
13
Cannock Rugby Club
1st XV
Ludlow 47-13 Cannock

Ludlow 47-13 Cannock

Soccer Jon Freeman3 Apr 2016 - 17:13
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CANNOCK LEFT FRUSTRATED WITH A WHIRLWIND 15 MINUTES.

Cannock travelled to 3rd place Ludlow on Saturday afternoon, relatively confident of seeking redemption from a last kick defeat earlier in the season. Changes from the victory against Edwardians saw Neil Cartwright come in at 9, Dan Clarke in at wing and a couple of switches in position for Stephen Frost, Josh Humphries and Scott Pedley.

It was the visitors who started the brighter. Carries from Jon Freeman, Joe Brookes and Frost made the hosts aware that Cannock weren’t looking to get a drubbing like all that visited here this term. Jord Pincombe and Pedley gained good territory and the opening exchanges were positive.

However, the next 15 minutes were ones of frustration and out of character for a normally resilient defensive line. The first score seemingly coming out of nowhere with the Ludlow 12 breaching a blind side of 4 defenders and racing to score. 7-0.

From the restart, Ludlow's tight head collected and races unopposed to the 22 offloading what was a forward pass to the supporting wing who scored. The forward pass being almost irrelevant as he shouldn't of got to where he was. 14-0.

Again from the restart this time the No.8 collected again making 30 metres before being snagged but offloaded superbly to his open side who raced to score. 21-0.

Cannock shook themselves down and made ground. Dave Gunter and Scott Lathe made yards and from this Dave Edwards was just stopped at the last. Penalty awarded for a discrepancy at the breakdown and Pincombe slotted 3 points. 21-3.

Cannock tried to build again but an error saw Ludlow counter absurdly fast and the excellent 15 raced to score. 28-3.

Annoyingly again from the restart the ball found the home tight head who bull dozed tackles. With quick phase play the wing scored in the corner. 33-3. HT.

As annoying a half as there will ever be. For 25-30 minutes it was the visitors who played the rugby. Errors and the quickness of Ludlow saw them score 5 tries without a single ruck ensuing. Cannock were picked apart by 3 excellent players who clearly shouldn't be in this league.

The 2nd half began and again Cannock were the rugby playing side. Gary Trow in at hooker threw well and the scrum as ever were the dominant. Humphries and Blake asked questions every time they had ball in hand but errors which must be cut stopped any build up. Pincombe slotted another penalty to cut the score to 33-6.

Ludlow nearly scored with a run from the wing but the courageous Clarke raced back to make a last minute tackle. Trow and Mike Forrester did brilliantly to turnover the ball at the ruck and pressure was relieved momentarily.

Again from seemingly nothing the 12 breached the defensive line. Unfortunately the excellent Jamie Fullelove injured his knee in the process of running up and had to make way temporarily. 40-6.

Ludlow scored again after countering, this they do very efficiently. The speed between the 12 and 15 with good support and execution makes it hard to defend. 47-6.

Never to give up Cannock again went at the home side. Attacking the picturesque scenery, Brookes and Barrett made hard yards. From the ruck, Cartwright found Lathe (at 10) who passed to Pincombe. The young starlet waltzed through 2 tackles to score under the posts. 47-13 FT.

A frustrating game to write about. No bitterness just facts. Ludlow were brilliant at what they did which was counter and counter very fast with efficiency. Cannock can take solace that ultimately for 65 minutes they were even to Ludlow if not better. Within pre season Cannock must train on one-on-one tackles and executing moves efficiently. Man-of-the-match wnet to the evergreen Gary Trow.

A mixed bag back at the Morgan ground. 2's came away with a 42-5 victory against Bridgenorth and the 3's lost 25-15, apologies as I don't know the opposition.

Training is on Wednesday at 7pm. Please make the effort to attend. One club and whatever side you reside in its important we make the effort to train.

Next week sees the visit of Newcastle to the Morgan ground. Cannock would appreciate a large crowd in what will be the last home league game as skipper for the talismanic Freeman. See you there!

Match details

Match date

Sat 02 Apr 2016

Kickoff

15:00

Competition

Midlands 3 West (North)
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