LUDLOW suffered their first defeat of the season in the Premier Division of the Shropshire League – but it went down to the wire before opponents St Georges snatched the win by a solitary run.

The Burway visitors won the toss and opted to bat which looked to be a sound decision as they reached 85-1 thanks to a solid partnership from Emrys and Gareth Hughes.

But once Sam Edwards had taken the former’s wicket and Joe Williams accounting for the latter one run short of his half-century, the St Georges innings stuttered and they were all out for 155 in the 49th over.

Much of this was down to excellent bowling from Williams who finished with 6-33 from 13.5 overs with the other wickets going to Louis Watkins, Sam Edwards, Luke Miles and Alfie Holliehead.

Ludlow’s reply didn’t get off to the best of starts with openers Sam Edwards and Sam Roberts back in the clubhouse with just six runs on the board.

But Jack Griffiths added a boundary-laden 37 off 35 balls while skipper Ruel Brathwaite hit 50 off 52 balls to keep the home side heading in the right direction.

Wickets were falling at the other end though with Ben Byram taking 7-67 and ten runs were needed when last pair Williams and Holliehead took to the crease.

The score nudged to within one run of the visitors’ total only for Williams to be caught behind having put on a resolute 14 off 72 balls.

Ludlow 2nds won their Shropshire League match at Allscott 2nds by 22 runs, opener Matthew Hawes setting the foundations with 53. Jack Condliffe (35) and skipper Steve Small (28) also added vital runs as the visitors reached 144-9 at the end of their 40 overs.

Eleanor Taylor (2-17) then dismissed both Allscott openers and although a solid partnership from the next two batsmen bolstered the innings, the home side were dismissed for 122. Mackenzie Swift took 4-23 with Tom Miller taking 4-33.

There was also success for Ludlow 3rds who beat Wheaton Aston by 47 runs in Division Two.

Richard Mapp led with 47 as the home side reached 198 all out. And although the visitors started well, regular wickets from Luke Hicks (5-31) ensured they were back in the pavilion for just 151.

Elsewhere in the Shropshire League, hosts Church Stretton won their Division Three match with Acton Reynald by four wickets with Saif Khalid the hero with both bat and ball.

Put into bat, the visitors only had ten men so were effectively all out when reduced to 154-9 in the 43rd over. Rowan Dunbabin and Jon Holt took two wickets apiece but Khalid snaffled up 5-33.

In reply, he then hit a steady 41 not out off 102 balls to steer Stretton to success.