Ledbury 34 pts Ludlow 17

LEDBURY booked their place in the inaugural final of the North Midlands Shield with a comprehensive victory at Ross Road.

Dave Pickering, who grabbed a brace, set Ledbury on their way in this semi-final when he blasted through the Ludlow midfield and sprinted 50 yards to touch down.

Nick Bevan increased Ledbury's advantage with their second score soon afterwards, sprinting down the touchline to grab a well-worked try.

Although some slack handling allowed Ludlow to score a try in the corner, Ledbury continued to press and Rob Collins snapped up the home team's third touchdown shortly before half-time.

Both sides played some good rugby in the second half, with Ludlow the first to show, scoring their second try in the opening stages.

But Ledbury replied with some aggressive play of their own and Peter Elkington, at number 10, side stepped his way over the Shropshire club's line.

Ollie Kaye snapped up Ledbury's fifth try after a solid drive by the forwards and then Pickering fended off a couple of tackles to round off the scoring with his team's sixth try.

The Herefordshire club will face either Worcester Wanderers or Old Salt-leians in the final.