Ludlow 2nd 200-4 Cound 2nd 164-6

LUDLOW 2nd captain Matt Hawes is confident that his team can give Reman Services 2nd a run for their money this weekend in a top-of-the-table Shropshire County Reserve League Division One game.

Hawes' men currently sit top of the division following a winning draw against third-place Cound 2nd last time out.

"We're playing all of the teams at the top at the moment and know that Reman Services will give us a good game," said Hawes.

"But we're top of the league and have led the it all season, so are playing well.

"Richard Taylor should be back this weekend from university and we've got a few others to return shortly."

Hawes' men will be coming up against a familiar face on Saturday.

Reman Services' captain is Pete Ezard, who was formerly the skipper of Ludlow's first team.

"Pete is a medium pace bowler who is well known in Ludlow," said Hawes.

"I'm sure there will be a bit of banter amongst the lads."

Last Saturday, Hawes' 95 helped Ludlow 2nd to a winning draw against Cound 2nd at the Burway.

Matt Bengry (42) and Stephen Burgoyne (35) also knocked off useful runs as Ludlow posted 200-4.

Heavy rain meant that the game started an hour-and-a-half late, resulting in the match being reduced to 37 overs a side.

But once the sun came out, so did the runs as Ludlow tried to inflict a high score.

The one sour note was Hawes falling agonisingly short of his century.

"In the last over, I just went for it, but got bowled as I went for a six," said Hawes.

"I fell short, but I don't mind."

Cound never came close to getting to Ludlow's total, but because Ludlow were unable to bowl them out, they were only handed a winning draw.

Bryan Leighton (3-15) was the pick of Ludlow's bowlers, with Joe Webb also nabbing two wickets.

A poor batting performance by Ludlow 4th saw them succumb to a 27-run defeat against Shifnal 4th in Reserve League Division Three.

Only Robin Hillman and Alfie Holliehead managed to get into double figures for Ludlow, with the team being skittled out for just 53.

The only positive came in Ludlow's bowling attack, with Joe Williams helping himself to four wickets.

Albert Wall also snapped up two wickets as Shifnal were bowled out 80.

But, remarkably, their total was enough to secure the win.

The only other game to escape the weather was Corvedale 2nd's Division Five game against Allscott 3rd.

Allscott's opening partnership of Christopher Dean (32) and Awwal Gani (26) got their team off to a good start, while Tim Clare (34) also posted useful runs.

Allscott finished on 125-9 – Andrew Mawdsley (2-17), Russell Wilcox (2-22) and Tallon Poole (2-25), being the pick of Corvedale's bowlers.

In reply, Mawdsley finished on 27 not out, while Jim Alderson posted 28.

But it was not enough as Corvedale could only muster 112-6, ensuring that Allscott secured the winning draw.