Ledbury 19 pts Shipston-on-Stour 13

COACH Paul Rudland sees a good future ahead for his club after they consolidated third place in the Midlands Three West (South) table with a narrow win over lowly Shipston-on-Stour at a very wet Ross Road.

"We have beaten the two sides above us in the table, Old Yardleians and Pinley, at home so we still have to play them away," said Rudland.

"But, as I see it, we have nothing to lose.

"We set this out as a season of consolidation and to improve on last year. We've done that and surpassed it - we are putting out three sides on a regular basis and the player-base is much improved."

Against Shipston-on-Stour, the visitors took the lead in the early stages before George Bennion kicked a penalty to level the scores.

John Watkins went over for a try for Ledbury but Shipston responded with a converted score to lead at the interval.

Playing downhill in the second period, Jock Welch went over for a second try and the win was sealed by three successful penalties from Bennion.

Included in the Ledbury side was former Greyhound half-back Dave Bromage who joined the Ross Road club before the turn of the year.

"Dave has done a good job for us," said Rudland. "He slotted in when we lost Kieram Hallam who went off with a fractured shoulder at Southam.

"I'd like to see him play on a flat, dry pitch - we have the backs to rip anyone apart but it's difficult to play in these conditions when you are on the back foot all the time."

Ledbury host Kings Norton, whom they have already beaten away, on Saturday.