CHARLIE Powell scored two tries in vain as Stratford-upon-Avon RFC suffered a 24-19 defeat away at Ludlow.
Powell touched down either side of the break while Jake Young also crossed for the visitors at The Linney.
The result means Stratford sit sixth in the Regional 2 Midlands West table.
Stratford made the most of a bright start to score the game’s first try when Powell dotted down in the left corner after the visitors pulled in a number of Ludlow defenders from a lineout close to the opposition line.
And Stratford scored their second try, after a period of Ludlow pressure, when Nathan Geekie’s kick bounced awkwardly and Zak Amond collected the ball before passing to Young who touched down with Gwil Davies converting.
Ludlow reduced the deficit with their first try soon after from a quick tap penalty in front of the posts as the home side shifted the ball to the left and dotted down in the corner.
And the home side closed the gap to two points before the break with another try out wide following a lineout 10-metres from the Stratford line.
Ludlow completed the turnaround at the start of the second half after securing turnover ball and winning a penalty before scoring next to the posts following a lineout.
And Stratford then lost Gus Wightman to the sin bin for collapsing a maul as Ludlow forced a goalline dropout and made the most of the extra man to score their fourth try.
The visitors kept themselves in the game when Powell crossed for his second try and 16th of the season from Geekie’s flat pass with the conversion closing the gap to five points.
And the away side almost struck again from the restart when Dan Whitby broke a few tackles and passed to Jacob Kinnaird who sprinted down the line only to be stopped a few metres out.
Back up to 15 players, the visitors made one last effort to reach the Ludlow line only for the home side to win a penalty and clear to safety.
Stratford are next in action at home to Hereford on Saturday, March 16 with kick-off at 3pm at Pearcecroft.
