CAPTAIN Will Sparrow conceded Ludlow face “an uphill battle” to be crowned Shropshire County Cricket League champions after Saturday’s three-wicket defeat to Quatt.

Put in to bat, five of Ludlow’s players returned without score as Gareth Jones (6-17) blasted his way through both ends of the order.

Opener Sam Edwards was seen off for a fourth-ball duck before Will Gough (26), Luke Miles (47*) and Daniel Ashley (15) put up a fight.

But Jones was in imperious form, bagging four maidens from his 10 overs and rounding off his haul with a hat-trick to wipe out Chris Ammonds, Joe Williams and Courtney Cooper in consecutive deliveries.

The meagre 119 tally was never likely to be enough but Williams (3-26) did all he could by reducing Quatt to six for two early on.

However, Ricardo De Nobrega (27), skipper Craig Jones (29) and a swift unbeaten 25 from 16 balls by tail-ender Terry Cowburn saw the visitors comfortably over the line with more good work from Miles (2-25) in vain.

“We were awful, very poor,” said Sparrow. “The batting let us down, you cannot expect to win a game if you manage just 119.

“You cannot take anything away from Gareth Jones, he bowled very well and finished on a hat-trick by wiping out the final three in as many balls at the end but we just weren’t good enough.

"Only Will and Luke got going, the top order collapsed early on but they got us out of trouble for a while. A couple of decisions went against us from there and Gareth cleaned up at the end.

“It was frustrating that we were second best when we knew how big a game it could turn out to be for us.

“We have taken a big step back when we could have been right in the running. It is an uphill battle now but we are boosted by having both strike bowlers back for the rest of the season.”

The defeat coupled with positive results for their title rivals pushed Ludlow down to fifth in the standings. They trail leaders Whitchurch by 32 points with eight Premier Division matches left to play.

“The only bonus is we have to play Broseley and Worfield in the next two matches,” said Sparrow. “Gaining 40 points from those would close up things again.

“It is not over but we realise we cannot lose another game now. We have to play the four above us so it is pretty simple, we just have to bank on Whitchurch slipping up.”

Ludlow’s cause will be boosted by the return of some key personnel on Saturday when they head to The Stocking to face fourth-placed Broseley (1pm).

Ruel Brathwaite, Louis Watkins and Jack Griffiths are all in line for returns but Glen Whittaker (broken thumb) misses out.