LUDLOW warmed up for Saturday’s mouthwatering home clash with leaders Whitchurch by walloping Newtown by nine wickets.

Will Sparrow’s men were cruising towards a comfortable success having limited their hosts to 101 for seven before Ryan Davies (69*) and Ally Laird (60*) turned the tide.

Ruel Brathwaite (2-29) took out opener Steve Davies (29) with captain Will Sparrow (2-24) and Luke Miles (2-32) also among the wickets.

But Laird’s impressive knock included two fours and five sixes as the eighth-wicket stand more than doubled Newtown’s total. They finished their 50 overs on 208 for seven.

As it turned out, that late surge cut no ice as 26 boundaries in less than 36 overs saw Ludlow past the post with relative ease.

Sam Edwards remained unbeaten on 56 having crossed the rope on seven occasions from 98 deliveries.

Partner-in-crime Keanu Cooper registered 52 before being dismissed but that opening stand of 77 afforded Jack Griffiths the freedom to go for the throat.

Alongside Edwards, Griffiths racked up 66 from 49 balls with 10 fours and a pair of sixes to win the match for Ludlow on 214 for one.

Saturday’s action at The Burway starts at 1pm with 40 points separating the sides.

Joe Williams struck an unbeaten 103 to avert a crisis for Ludlow III in 130-run beating of Trysull & Seisdon.

Four of Ludlow’s first five batsmen were sent packing for single figures but Williams, Scott Kemsley (39) and Adam Bowen (29*) took their total to 238 for six. Bowen (5-13) and Craig Massey (2-8) then helped to dismiss the hosts for 108.

Ludlow II (265 for nine, declared) played out a losing draw with Iscoyd & Fenns Bank II (224 for five).