LUDLOW succumbed to a pair of powerful displays and were leapfrogged by opponents Worfield following a seven-wicket defeat at Davenport Park.

Put in to bat, Will Sparrow’s side laboured to 69 for four in the Shropshire Premier clash despite the best efforts of Jack Edwards (34) as bowler Ian Simmons (7-57) began his imperious rampage.

Sparrow seized the initiative, rattling off 67 from 73 deliveries in a knock which included eight fours and three sixes, and produced a 93-run fifth-wicket partnership alongside Glen Whittaker (37).

However, Simmons soon got to work on the tail end as Ludlow were seen off for 206 and it did not take long for Worfield to stamp their authority on the response.

Tom Whitney’s 100 off 80 deliveries put his side firmly in the driving seat with fellow opener Tom Pickerill’s 24 and an unbeaten 36 from Iain Anderson enough to see Worfield over the line inside 36 overs with a score of 209 for three. Sam Edwards (2-41) was Ludlow’s best performer with the ball.

In Division Two, Bishop’s Castle sit second bottom despite clinging on to a losing draw at Shifnal III.

The visitors started well with the ball before Michael Frost (73) and Dan Aston (42) settled in for a strong partnership. Howard Insall provided an unbeaten 24 while his tail-end partners fell to the bowling of Edgar Whatley (4-47) as Shifnal ended their innings on 213 for nine.

Try as they might, Castle could only muster a mixed response with Shifnal’s Phil Aston (2-28) swiftly taking out the top two.

Richard Fifield (20) and Dan Haubenschmid (15) battled manfully before being dismissed by Joshua Pistorious (3-22) and it was left to Jack Perry (23*) to hang tough at the end as Castle finished on 131 for seven.

Church Stretton sit one place above their local rivals having been thrashed by 144 runs and bypassed in the standings by Prees.

Visiting opener Stephen Williams waltzed to 121, more than his opponents ended up managing as a team, with Josh Prince (59) contributing to a total of 259 for six. Adam Green (3-40) did all he could to stem the tide.

Opener Saif Khalid (25) top scored but it was all downhill for Stretton from there with Chris Cathrall (6-34) their chief tormentor. They were dismissed for 115.