LUDLOW missed out on the Twenty20 Champions Day when they fell at the final hurdle against Pencombe in the South Shropshire League play-off final.

In a match restricted to 15 overs apiece, Pencombe posted an imposing 182-2, with skipper Owen Thomas blasting an unbeaten 73 off 33 balls, before pegging Ludlow down to 129-6. Openers Jamie Smith (47 off 32 balls) and Glen Whittaker (32 off 20) gave Ludlow a lively start, but they were unable to maintain the momentum.

But two Ludlow players did pick up honours in the end-of-season awards, with Smith the Batsman of the Year with 399 runs at an average of 66.5, and Will Gough the Fielder of the Year with 13 victims behind the stumps.

On Saturday Ludlow suffered an 18-run defeat at Frankton in the Premier Division of the Shropshire County League.

They bowled Frankton out for 151 - a collapse from 52 without loss - with James Gerriste starring with 6-41 and Kevin Hinton claiming 3-35.

Ludlow were soon 25-4 as Harry Stow (5-24) decimated their early order and although Rob Genner struck 34 off 32 balls, and Hinton finished on 26 not out, they came up short on 133 all out.

Ludlow 2nd and 4th both claimed walkover wins when Frankton 2nd and Lilleshall 4th conceded, but Ludlow 3rd were involving in another thriller with Division 3 opponents Wroxeter Grove 3rd.

Adam Bowen snapped up 6-52 and Joe Williams 3-47 as Wroxeter were dismissed for 179, and Ludlow were struggling until Bowen was joined by No.10 batsman Williams at 62-8. They added over 100 before Williams was out for 65 (nine fours and a six) in the penultimate over.

Last man Andy Williams joined Bowen and a tense final over saw Bowen dropped twice, once at deep mid-wicket and then by the bowler, before Andy Williams hit the last but one ball for four. But with two needed to win and one to tie, he was unable to score off the final delivery.