LEDBURY'S new look side fell to a 28-7 defeat to nearby rivals Ludlow.
They travelled to The Linney to take on the Shropshire side in the Regional Two Midlands West League on Saturday (February 1).
The game saw Ledbury struggle to be accurate and decisive in attack, and fail to take advantage of territory.
Ludlow initially took the lead with a well-struck penalty kick from 25 metres out, following an adjudged crossing by Ledbury.
Ledbury had a chance to level the score with a penalty kick, but Iolo Bubb missed the opportunity as his plant foot slipped on soft ground.
Despite this, Bubb quickly recovered, launching a clever kick and regathering it to pin Ludlow back into their 22.
However, a knock-on at the back negated their efforts, and Ludlow cleared with a long-range kick.
Further inaccuracies from both teams led to another penalty for Ludlow, extending their lead to 6-0 by half-time.
The second half began much like the first, with neither side able to dominate the game.
However, after 15 minutes, a strong carry and neat cross-field kick resulted in Bubb converting his own try, bringing the score to 6-7.
Ledbury's eagerness to control the game led to successive penalties, providing Ludlow with a lineout on the Ledbury five metre mark.
A subsequent interception of a Ledbury pass by Ludlow turned the game in favour of the home team.
A yellow card for Zak Bonfield for a deliberate knock-on gave Ludlow further advantage, and they took the points, moving the score to 9-7.
Ludlow capitalised on Ledbury being a man down, scoring under the sticks and converting easily to make it 16-7.
Ludlow continued to exploit gaps in Ledbury's defence, scoring an 80 metre run-in and another try in the corner, ending the game at 28-7.
Despite the loss, Ledbury showed they could match fifth-placed Ludlow for most of the game.
However, their indiscipline and missed opportunities cost them dearly.
Ledbury now look ahead to their rescheduled home match at Ross Road against Whitchurch on Saturday (February 8), hoping to improve on their away performance last October.
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