Ludlow left to pay the price

Opportunities go begging as Hereford edge a close game

Ludlow were left counting the cost of missed opportunities as they slipped to the foot of the Regional Two Midlands table.

Ludlow hooker Ben Chamberlain scores his team’s second try to level the scores against Hereford Picture: Trevor Patchett | Trevor Patchett

placeholder image — Ludlow hooker Ben Chamberlain scores his team’s second try to level the scores against Hereford Picture: Trevor Patchett | Trevor Patchett

A narrow 28-24 defeat away to Hereford last weekend saw the hosts climb above their visitors.

Ludlow have endured a testing run in recent weeks as they battle a big injury list, but Saturday’s game was another one where they failed to cash in on a number of promising positions.

"Another close result, where we give ourselves plenty of opportunities to win, but unfortunately we didn't turn those opportunities into points,” said head coach Tom Tench.

"It's becoming a pretty familiar theme at the moment and is something we have got to really address moving forward.

"It was another game where we had more entries into the 22, more possession for sustained periods in the second half, particularly when we had Hereford pinned back and we were on the front foot.

"But when we get into those critical areas, we almost go one positive followed by two negatives.

"We are shooting ourselves in the foot in terms of what we are doing out there.

"We get ourselves into really good positions and then make critical errors that take the pressure off the opposition and put us back under pressure.

"We knew it was going to be a tough ask going to Hereford. They are always well coached and it showed, they took their opportunities.

“If you look at their entries into the 22 compared to ours, they had seven entries into our 22 and we had 12 into theirs, and yet they win the game.

“It goes to show that the conversion of those entries into points is so critical.

"Execution is probably what it comes down to. Before, we were trying to score too early within our phase sets. Now we are getting into those areas and it's about those calm heads to convert them."

Ludlow managed three tries on Saturday, with Charlie Doyle, Ben Chamberlin and Jamie Durban touching down, while Bailey Bache landed three conversions and a penalty.

Tench’s men have a break from action this weekend before returning on November 14 with a home game against Kenilworth.