LUDLOW’S up-and-down season continued when they were beaten by four wickets at Madeley in the Shropshire County League Premier Division.

For once, their in-form early-order failed after Sam Edwards had won the toss and opted to bat and they found themselves having to rebuild from 19-3 and then 68-5.

Glen Whitaker (6), Jamie Smith (6) and Keanu Cooper (5) all went cheaply and it needed a half-century from Harry Martin (53 off 62 balls) to inspire something of a recovery, with Jack Griffiths (22) and Dylan Grinker (20) also chipping in but they were finally dismissed for 160 in 41.4 overs.

Chris Hodson was their chief tormentor with 5-31 off 15 overs, with Martin one of his five victims.

Kevin Hinton quickly got amongst the Madeley reply with a couple of early wickets, both down to catches from Keanu Cooper, and skipper Edwards also weighed in with a wicket.

But opener Stephen Pugh (50 off 91 balls) stuck around and Jonathan Prince (five fours and two sixes in 41 off 35 balls) offered him some worthy support to all but see Madeley through to victory, the home side overhauling Ludlow’s total on 163-6 in the 39th over.

Hinton also removed Pugh to finish with 4-57 off 13.5 overs and take his tally of Premier Division wickets for the season to 33.