Strength in depth sees Ludlow home

Ludlow are now up to third in the Henshalls Insurance Shropshire Premier Division after a meeting of two of the sides tipped to be pushing for glory at the end of the season.

The clash proved to be a low-scoring affair with the bowlers in charge. After winning the toss Sparrow led by example with the ball.

He bagged 4-35 from 13 overs as Quatt were dismissed for 149. Ruel Braithwaite (3-37) and Peter Griffiths (2-25) provided impressive support while Ricardo De Nobrega top-scored with 55 for Quatt.

The chase was far from plain sailing for Ludlow despite opener Sam Griffiths scoring 40. Quatt seemed to have gained control when they reduced their visitors to 97-7.

But Ludlow’s lower order stepped up to the plate with an unbroken eighth-wicket stand of 56 between Glen Whittaker (22 not out) and Sam Alford (28 not out) seeing them home, much to Sparrow’s relief.

“It was a very competitive game as usual,” he said. “Our lower order showed the depth in our batting line-up and stepped up really well in tough circumstances.

“The boys are full of confidence going into a big weekend against Broseley at home.”

Frankton batsmen Ian Whitticase and Scott Hale both struck half-centuries as the Hardwick Park side chased impressively to gain a nine-wicket win at Wem.

Frankton performed well with the ball to dismiss Wem for 132 at the Kynaston Ground.

Thomas Wilkie snared 4-27 for the visitors, with Sam Peate’s knock of 36 as good as it got for Wem.

Opener Whitticase then carried his bat to end unbeaten on 63, getting the job done with Hale (50 not out), as Frankton made assured progress to 136-1 inside 39 overs.

Tom Whitney and Tom Pickerill were in fine form for Worfield on their winning draw with St Georges.

Opener Whitney and No.3 Pickerill both struck fine centuries during a double-century second-wicket partnership to help their side post a daunting 293-6 from their 50 overs.

Azaad Raiq was the most successful bowler for St Georges with 3-40.

Worfield’s victory push was then checked by some stubborn resistance from the hosts.

Chris Waldron ended 77 not out while opener Muhammad Zaheer and Neil Daves made 32 and 33 respectively as St Georges replied with 195-6.

Worfield bagged 17 points from the clash and skipper Joe Arnold was delighted to see his side bounce back from the previous week’s defeat to Broseley when they were bowled out for 110.

“The two Toms batted really well and set us up for a good score,” said Arnold.

“We needed to bounce back after the Broseley game and it was pleasing to see us do just that.

“We got a couple of early wickets but the pitch was a bit dead and St Georges were happy to bat out for a losing draw.

“But we only picked up three points less than we would of if we had put them in and then won, so it was a really positive performance.”