Ludlow CC skipper Will Sparrow admits it needed an impressive bowling display to secure a nail-biting five-run victory over Frankton in the Shropshire League Premier Division.

The Burway side threw away a decent start to finish on 167 all out before five wickets from overseas star Matt Kennedy had the visitors falling just short of their target.

Such a tense finish hardly looked likely as Keanu Cooper and Sam Edwards put on 82 for the first wicket.

But when Michael Eckward (6-27) trapped Cooper lbw, there followed a mini collapse with Edwards (36) following soon after before Harry Martin and Jack Griffiths were dismissed without scoring as Ludlow slumped to 83-4.

Sparrow steadied things at one end, top scoring with 59 off 68 balls, but there was little support with no other batsmen reaching double figures.

Sparrow said: “I thought we’d need around 175 so it was disappointing that we fell short of that, particularly after such a good start. We threw wickets away and, after being in such a strong position, we made it difficult for ourselves. Apart from myself, none of the middle order got in.

“I was still confident because of the bowling attack we have but it was still too close for comfort.”

In reply, Frankton’s top order struggled with the pace of seamer Kennedy and he soon had the first three batsmen back in the clubhouse with just 22 on the board.

The visitors rallied though with Tom Wilkie top scoring with 33 and Tom Welti hitting an entertaining 23 off 24 balls including a pair of 6s before he was bowled by Sparrow.

With ninth man Ross Bladen chipping in with a useful 22, and with plenty of overs in hand, it looked as though the visitors were on target for victory.

But two more wickets for Kennedy (5-27) stopped Frankton in their tracks before Luke Miles (2-37) mopped up the remainder. Sparrow (2-54) and Louis Watkins (1-31) were also among the wickets.

“Luke showed great character to hold his nerve and take the final wicket,” the Ludlow captain added. “He was hit for four to leave them needing just five runs but he then bowled the last man with his next ball.

“Matt was fantastic again, back at his best with a five-for. He was very tidy and bowled as well as at any other time this season.

“It was a great game of cricket to be involved in.’

The win keeps Ludlow in third place with second-placed Quatt also collecting maximum points from their game with basement club Bomere Heath.

And Sparrow’s side will be making the trip to Bomere on Saturday looking for another maximum points haul.