LEDBURY COLTS made a piece of club history by overcoming Herefordshire rivals Luctonians to clinch the North Midlands Cup final and put their names onto the coveted Stan Whitfield Cup for the first time.

Little could separate the Herefordshire sides at the final in Droitwich RFC but Ledbury held on to victory in dramatic circumstances.

Ledbury were looking to make amends after losing last year’s final by just two points, so fittingly won the 2023 trophy after a 23-22 victory.

Luctonians took an early lead after well drilled catch and drive move was efficiently touched down on two minutes for the Mortimer Park side to go 0-7 ahead.

Ledbury responded when quick tap and go allowed them to recycle the ball several times before Cody Richardson-Wall muscled his way over the try line on eight minutes with Iolo Bubb converting to level the score.

Bubb’s intelligent kicking throughout the match was turning Lucs’ defence and giving Ledbury territory and possession.

Lucs were caught offside and then immediately penalised for a high tackle 15 meters from the posts which Bubb kicked successfully (10-7).

Immediately from the restart Luctonians regained possession and on 22 minutes spread the ball to their right to score an unconverted try (10-12).

The tightly contested match continued but when an overthrown Luctonians’ line-out was picked up by Ben Roberts, the Ledbury youngster gained 20 meters running deep into his opponent’s 22.

Ledbury managed to recycle the ball several times before outside centre Josh Bishop crashed over to the right of the posts with Ben Deards convering to take a 17-12 half-time lead.

Just four minutes into the second half Luctonians replied when another effective line-out resulted in a catch and driving maul which was touched down in the left hand corner (17-17).

Bubb was proving the difference and kicked two penalties to make the score 23-17 as both sides received yellow cards.

With Ledbury also reduced in number a penalty was driven to the five-meter line before another catch and drive saw them over the line (23-22).

With five minutes remaining there was a palpable air of tension around the pitch from the Ledbury supporters.

Both teams continued the arm wrestle with neither side gaining significant possession or territorial advantage, but with the game ‘in the red’ Ledbury conceded a penalty for a high tackle 30 meters out from their posts.

However, the kick was pulled left and touched down by Bubb, as the final whistle was blown and Ledbury had beaten their local rivals 23-22 and were crowned North Mids Colts Cup winners 2023.