Newport retained the Shropshire Cup – but they were made to fight all the way by a dogged Ludlow side.

A large crowd gathered at Forton Road for the big match, and it was the Fishes who eventually prevailed 15-10 in the county’s showpiece fixture.

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There is a two-league gap between the two sides, but it didn’t show as Ludlow started strongly.

Joe Armstrong kicked Newport in front from a penalty, but Ludlow levelled when Joe Doyle also found his range after the home side were penalised for holding on in the tackle.

The Fishes opened up a gap when George Armitage scored a brilliant solo try, converted by Armstrong, to put them in front by the interval.

But the south Shropshire side refused to buckle and put in a terrific second half to make a real match of it.

Continual possession and pressure was finally rewarded as Ed McFarland went over for a try and Joe Doyle kicked the conversion to level the scores.

Newport were reeling, but hit back to win with a try for flanker Simon Holland, who drove over after the Linney men had lost possession in a scrummage.

That rounded off the scoring and sealed a winning finale for three Newport players who are moving on over the summer.

Armitage is relocating to Johannesburg, while Tomasi Tanumi is joining Birmingham/Solihull, giving him the chance to play at National League 1 level. Chris Taylor is taking a year out to go travelling.

Director of rugby Ray Price hailed them for their efforts and also praised Ludlow for their spirit.

“Having seen them in their semi-final against Bridgnorth, we knew they were a well-organised side,” he said.

“They’re no mugs and it was a good game – fair dos, they never let us settle.”

The match also marked Jake Parkes’ swansong as Ludlow captain – and he was proud to go out on a high note, despite the result.

“Everybody put in 120 per cent and it was probably the best we could have done, so I was over the moon,” he said.

“The coaches couldn’t believe it and wanted to know why we had saved our best for last. It was a good way to go out for me, and I think it’s time to let someone younger have a go.”

By CHRIS HUDSON