LUDLOW’S hopes of lifting the Shropshire Cricket League Premier Division title suffered a setback after they failed to overhaul leaders Whitchurch in a game reduced to 25 overs apiece.

The much-anticipated clash of the top two looked in doubt due to heavy rain with all the other Premier ties being abandoned.

But as conditions improved, play began at 3pm with Ludlow putting their hosts into bat.

Whitchurch made an impressive start and were 84-1 at one stage before spin-pair Joe Williams (4-47) and Will Sparrow (2-65) got among the wickets. Sam Edwards also took 3-28 as the league leaders reached 179-9 from their overs.

Ludlow found runs hard to come by in reply, losing both openers with just 30 on the board. A partnership between Glen Whittaker (27) and Ruel Brathwaite (33) looked to be steering the visitors back on track but when the former was run out, the challenge evaporated and they fell 12 runs short.

Whitchurch finished with 13 points and Ludlow ten meaning the Burway outfit are 17 points behind with two games to play.

Skipper Will Sparrow said: “We’re hugely disappointed as this was our biggest game of the season. It’s out of our hands but not over just yet as anything can happen in cricket.”