SIMON Lane took an incredible 9-49 for Ludlow 3rd – but still finished on the losing side.

Lane was only denied a perfect 10 when Scott Kemsley removed Hodnet & Peplow’s number nine David Tunks.

His efforts helped restrict the hosts to 134 but it was to be in vain as Christopher Stretch (3-28) helped tumble the visitors for 117.

Jack Griffiths held his nerve to steer Ludlow & South Shropshire to a narrow win at Quatt.

Griffiths came in with his side struggling at 29-3 and hit an impressive unbeaten 96 to help them chase down their target of 202.

Ludlow won the Shropshire County League Premier clash by two wickets to maintain their steady progress.

Having lost the toss they were asked to field first on a warm afternoon and would have had hopes of a much easier afternoon as they had the hosts two down without a run on the board – Matthew Kennedy (2-19) trapping Nick Wilkinson leg before and Louis Watkins (1-54) dismissing Elliot Parker.

When skipper Will Sparrow prised out Graham Yates (8) the hosts were 13-3 and staring down the barrel.

But Craig Harris (32) started the recovery with Terry Hughes also shipping in with 22.

But the bulk of the Quatt total came from the late order. Craig Jones made 50 and home skipper Adrian Evans made 45 to continue the upsurge after Jones had gone with the score on 168.

Sparrow finished with 3-25 but there was now work to be done by the visitors.

Jonathan Edwards removed Keanu Cooper first ball and Ludlow knew they were in a battle, and wickets fell regularly as they slipped to 29-3 with Sparrow and Sam Roberts falling to Craig Jones and Gareth Jones.

Sam Edwards (41) steadied the ship before Hughes had him caught by Craig Jones but Griffiths was now at the crease and the score moved to 120 without further loss until a clatter of three wickets for just a single had the game back in favour of Quatt.

Gareth Parker though provided the support Griffiths needed taking Ludlow within sight of victory which they finally achieved with 15 balls to pare and two wickets in hand.

The tables were turned at the Burway as Quatt 2nd, inspired by Scott Knowles and Dave Street, eased to a six-wicket win.

Ludlow posted 183-9 with Courtney Cooper top scoring with 47. David Jones took 3-39 for the away side.

The home side were well in the game though as Cooper (2-46) helped wheedle out the top four.

Enter Knowles and Street who batted through to the end finishing unbeaten on 48 and 75 respectively.