Lions 3 - 50 Ludlow

Match date	Saturday November 1, 2008
Match time	14:15
Match location	Away
Team	Lions
Opponent	Ludlow

On a cold day over at Ludlow, the Lions knew exactly what kind to game to expect from the opposition, with ex-Stourbridge coach Stewart Jardine at the helm. The Lions knew that the opposition were going to run the ball in hand, and would be prepared to run the ball from anywhere.

Even before the game had started, the Lions were up against it, with a number of players arriving late, and some not arriving at all, eventually they were able to muster 16 players.

Playing with the wind in the first half, the Lions started the game strongly, and the game seemed equally balanced. Both defences seemed strong; this was demonstrated by Paul Meakin putting two heavy tackles on ex-Stourbridge prop Matt Ferguson, in as many minutes. He didn't try running through again.

Ludlow eventually got the first points on the board, when a lapse of concentration in the Lions defence, allowed Ludlow to run the ball down the right wing and to score in the corner, this was unconverted.

Ludlow asserted more pressure, and again they secured a penalty under the Lions posts, they opted to run the penalty and the forwards barged over for a score under the Lions posts, this time the score was successfully converted.

The Lions replied with a penalty kick on the 22 by Lewis Collins resulting in a 12-3 scoreline.

The first and the last of the Lions substitutions were made, with Duncan Bickley coming on for Matt Wynne-Hughes.

Ludlow finished the first half strongly, and scored down the left wing just before half time, this was unsuccessfully converted.

Half time score Ludlow 19, Lions 3

It wasn't going to be the Lions day, Arron Clifford was injured at the beginning of the second half and the Lions were down to 14 men. Ludlow continued to run the ball in hand, and were rewarded with another score down the left wing, and again this was unconverted.

The Lions woes were to continue from the kick off, with Adam Smith taking a heavy knock they were reduced down to 13 men. With uncontested scrums, and a depleted Lions side, the game was over as a contest, but the Lions players never gave up. They defended and attacked manfully, even when further injuries resulted in them being down to 11 men.

In the last 20 minutes Ludlow managed to score another 3 tries, to finish the game Ludlow 50 - Stourbridge Lions 3