LUDLOW’S Shropshire League title hopes received a shot in the arm courtesy of a 48-run win at fellow-contenders Broseley but skipper Will Sparrow insisted: “Every match is must-win now.”

Put in to bat, Ludlow looked to be on a sticky wicket when Sam Roberts was dismissed with the score at 67 for four but middle-order marvel Jack Griffiths weighed in with a crucial 50 from 59 deliveries.

Griffiths found the boundary four times and was then backed up by Luke Miles (17) and Dan Ashley (19), adding to the 21 contributed by opener Sam Edwards.

After that, Broseley tidied up the tail pretty quickly by wiping out two wickets for no runs with the score at 150. Nadeem Ahmad (5-26) was the tormentor in chief.

In the end, Ludlow managed 163 all out but soon got to work on their rivals as Louis Watkins (3-29) blitzed his way through the top end.

Salim Ahmed (27) and then Ahmad (29) tried to put up a fight but Broseley were wiped out for 115 to perfectly tee up Saturday’s showdown with second-placed Worfield.

“We cannot afford to lose any more if we want to be in contention,” said Sparrow. “Getting 20 points was huge for us going into another big clash.

“Every match is must-win now with Worfield, (leaders) Whitchurch and Wem still to play. It is in our hands to an extent, Whitchurch do need to slip up twice but we have the advantage of being able to close the gaps with wins against the others.

“We didn’t get off to a great start with a slow run-rate but that give us a bit of licence to have a go and kick on in those last 15 overs to a score that we were able to defend on that pitch.

“It was not the most free-flowing match and was never going to be a feast of runs so it was good to see Jack Griffiths hit a bit of form.

“He has consistently been among the 30s and 40s so it was good to see him get to that half-century on his comeback after missing the Quatt match.

“It was a very good, convincing win and a great response against a side that had started the day above us.

“Louis was fantastic with the ball as well, it makes such a difference having him and Ruel (Brathwaite) as strike bowlers back in the team.

“On the whole, we expect to have most of the lads available for matches against the bigger teams for the rest of the season. The commitment levels generally look good so we are confident we can have a right good go.”

Meanwhile, Ludlow’s seconds won by seven wickets at home to their Broseley counterparts.

Jack Condliffe (4-21) and Ed Riley (4-47) restricted the visitors to 107 all out with Scott Kemsley’s unbeaten 63 seeing through a routine 109 for three from 25.4 overs.