LUDLOW ended their recent barren run with a sensational low-scoring win at Newport to put the cat amongst the pigeons in the Shropshire League title race.

South African professional Kevin Hinton plundered his best figures of the season and his opening assault with young Bryan Leighton, who is soon off to Oxford University, saw Ludlow knock Newport off the top of the table by bowling them out for just 68 in reply to their own 86 all out.

It means Reman Services (372 points) now lead Newport (365) by seven points going into the final round of fixtures this weekend - with Reman hosting Newport in a championship showdown. Third-placed Wem are also in the picture with 361?points.

Ludlow elected to bat but were soon 13-4 and it needed Will Sparrow (32), Sam Edwards (24 not out) and Sam Alford (12) to help them eke out 86.

Newport then lost half their side for 29 to Hinton (5-41) and Leighton (whose 7-3-10-4 included the prize scalp of IPL?star Rajat Bhatia for 0) and though Ryan Jakeman stuck around for 31, he was sixth out with the total on 47.

The Newport tail displayed some resistance but Sparrow clinched it when he bowled Ed Parton to give Ludlow a famous victory - their first in seven matches.

Richard Powell (5-33) and Simon Palmer (3-50) did most of the damage as Bishop’s Castle beat Shrewsbury 3rd by 15 runs in Division Two while Martin Nichols (4-16) and Tom Crump (4-19) teamed up to help Church Stretton to a 94-run verdict over Montgomery, who were shot out for 65. Stretton’s Rob Whittall batted through the entire 40 overs for 67 not out.

Cleobury Mortimer’s David Shorter signed off with his best figures of the campaign in the Worcestershire League, but his 4-37 couldn’t prevent a six-wicket defeat by Avoncroft - and a bottom three placing in Division Three.