LUDLOW slipped to defeat on their travels as they went down by 47 runs at Sentinel in the Premier Division of the Shropshire County League.

Having won the toss Will Sparrow invited the hosts to bat first and the decision looked like it would reap dividends.

Sentinel lost opener David Laird for a single with the score on six and by the team they had reached 54 the remainder of the top three were back in the hutch as well. Sparrow got rid of Matthew Richards for 23 after Joe Yapp became the first of Bryan Leighton’s three victims for 22.

However, the home side then added 41 for the next wicket before wicketkeeper Tom Matthews fell to Harry Martin for 27

From that platform Sentinel kicked on building their innings round Elliot Hitchin’s 64.

There was support from Connor Cheshire who added 35 before falling with the score on 180.

Hitchin went next, Luke Miles accounting for both, but the lower order kept the scoreboard moving with Jamie Wear (17), skipper Ed Ashlin 20 and Phil Caudle 15 as they closed on 242-9 from their 50 overs.

Leighton finished with 3-41 while Miles’ ten overs gave him figures of 2-49.

Ludlow’s reply faltered early when Sam Edwards was out for one and Sam Alford followed for 15.

Sparrow continued his decent form coming in at three as he attempted to be the glue which held the visitors’ innings together.

But it was not to be despite a fine 86 as Sparrow was eighth man out receiving some aid from Jack Richards’ 22 but when he went with the score on 151, Sam Roberts went with no addition to the score and Leighton was last man out after a plucky last wicket stand of 44 with Kennedy.

Tom Miller’s 5-26 put Ludlow 2nd on the way to a hard-fought three wicket win against Sentinel 2nd. Tom Gloster also weighed in with 4-4 as the away side were reduced to 151 all out, Chris Speake’s 60 the mainstay of their efforts.

Josh Williams then made an unbeaten 52 after opener Richard Taylor’s 37 had laid the foundations.

It was far from plain sailing though as Michael Griffiths with 3-22 threatened to change the complexion of the game.

Ludlow 3rd made light work of Harcourt as they enjoyed a resounding eight-wicket success.

Danny Bradley’s 4-7 saw the home side skittled for 49 in 18.1 overs, Jordan Bull also impressing with 3-20.

Despite a couple of setbacks they then cruised to their victory target with red-inkers for Craig Massey (19) and Chris Ammonds (6).