STRATFORD-upon-Avon RFC lost at home for the first time this season following a 34-18 defeat against Ludlow.
Tries from Zak Hamersley and Charlie Powell along with eight points from the boot of Gwilym Davis proved in vain for the hosts at Pearcecroft.
The result means Stratford sit seventh in the Regional 2 Midlands West table.
Ludlow scored the game’s first try in the corner after Stratford made a mess of their own lineout on their own 22 which led to an attacking scrum for the visitors.
Stratford reduced the deficit with a penalty close to the posts courtesy of Davis close to the half-hour mark.
And the home side then scored their first try as Hamersley dotted down in the corner and Davis converted superbly from the near touchline.
Another Davis penalty saw Stratford stretch their lead with the last kick of the half as the home side went into the break with an eight-point advantage.
Ludlow cut the deficit five minutes after the interval with their second try close to the corner.
However, Stratford restored their eight-point lead with a try of their own as Powell beat the Ludlow winger in a one-on-one after good work from Nathan Geekie.
Ludlow then lost two players to the sin-bin in quick succession for a pair of high tackles while the visitors also missed with a penalty attempt.
However, Stratford failed to make their two-man advantage count as Ludlow caught a cross-field kick and sped down the wing to score in the corner.
The home side then had Powell sent to the sin-bin for not entering the ruck through the gate with Ludlow now back up to 14 players.
Following the sin-bin, Ludlow made the most of the scrum five metres from the Stratford line to score close to the posts and take the lead.
And just before both teams returned to 15 players, Ludlow scored another try in the corner to take command of the game.
Despite the visitors losing another player to the sin-bin late on, Ludlow scored the game’s final try at the death as Stratford went in search of a losing bonus point.
Stratford are next in action away at Moseley Oak on Saturday, September 28 with kick-off at 3pm at Billesley Common.
