Whitchurch coach Scott Sturdy wants to avoid a cup hangover as the league leaders look to close in on the Midlands Two West (North) title in Saturday's Shropshire derby with Ludlow at Edgeley Park (3pm).

The Reds will seek a quick pick-me-up after suffering a disappointing 19-7 loss to Droitwich in the Midlands final of the RFU Intermediate Cup that scuppered their Twickenham dreams.

And there is still plenty to play for this season, starting with this weekend when the runaway pacesetters have a chance to clinch the league crown with four games to spare.

Despite having no league game last weekend, they are still 19 points clear at the top after second placed Crewe and Nantwich went down 27-17 at home to Staffordshire side Newcastle.

So that means that victory this weekend should seal the title and promotion back to division one at the first attempt.

Points, however, are certain to be hard-earned, with the Reds needing no reminding that they were pushed all the way before scraping a 13-12 victory at Ludlow back in December.

"Everyone's bitterly disappointed to be out of the Intermediate Cup, but we must not let it define our season," said Sturdy.

"We were going to lose a game at some stage this season, but it's a real shame it happened in a game like that.

"It was our poorest performance of the season, but to only concede three tries when playing with 14 men for 50 minutes was a great effort. "The lads worked really hard, but some big moments in the game did not go our way.

"We did did not adapt to the referee, and his opinions, and ultimately paid the price. Droitwich were a big side, and played to their strengths, but if we played them again on Saturday, then I'm confident we would win."

He added: "We now need to channel our anger, disappointment and frustration into making sure we focus on finishing the season well and use those emotions to put in good performances.

"We want to get the league sorted out as soon as possible, and look to go unbeaten for the rest of the season. We've got five league games left, and also the North Mids Shield.

"We're looking no further than Saturday which will be difficult as Ludlow gave us a good game down there, and it's going to be a challenge."

With a 22-man squad last weekend, and Tom Skone and Ian Gillespie now back in contention, the Reds have plenty of selection choices as they gear up for the visit of their Shropshire rivals.

Having been knocked out of the Intermediate Cup, Whitchurch will take on Edwardians at home in the quarter-final of the North Mids Shield on Saturday, March 31.

Meanwhile, the second XV will travel to Glossop 2nds for a league fixture on Saturday after they sat out the weekend because of the first team's bid for Twickenham. They kick-off at 3pm.

The third team are at home to Winnington Park Third's at Edgeley Park in the league and they will also kick-off at 3pm, hoping to reverse a run of back-to-back defeats.