SUBLIME bowling and an unbeaten half-century steered Ludlow 3rd to an emphatic nine-wicket victory over visitors Llanidloes 1st in Division Three of the Shropshire League.

Ludlow skipper Kevin Boulton won the toss and put the Welsh side in to bat.

It proved a smart move as Llanidloes struggled for runs and were all back in the pavilion for just 83.

Joe Williams was the pick of the bowlers as he took the top three batsmen for figures of 3-14 from his seven overs. Chris Ammonds claimed 3-21 and Marcus Griffiths took 3-25 with the other wicket falling to Luke Hicks. Danny Bradley may have missed out but his six overs went for just 15 runs.

It didn’t take the Ludlow batsmen long to get into their stride and Scott Kemsley was going well before being bowled for 13 with the score on 31.

But there was no stopping Craig Massey at the other end as he powered his way to 50 not out off just 30 balls to guide Ludlow to the points. He thumped two sixes and hit eight fours while David Northwood offered support with 15 off 19 balls as Ludlow eased to their target inside 12 overs.

The second string weren’t so fortunate, losing by six wickets at Wem 2nd in Reserve Division One.

Opener Dylan Grinker hit 40 but runs were hard to come by and Ludlow were on 164-6 at the end of their 45 overs.

In reply, Wem reached their target with nearly five overs in hand, Tom Miller (2-30) the pick of the bowlers.

The 4th team had their match at Knockin & Kinnerley 4th postponed on Sunday without a ball being bowled.