A COLLAPSE with the bat meant the bowling heroics of Joe Williams and Ruel Brathwaite were in vain as Ludlow CC lost at home to Sentinel in the Shropshire Premier.

Williams took 5-44 and Brathwaite 3-44 as Ludlow dismissed their visitors for 179, with Luke Miles (2-51) also chipping in.

Sentinel looked set for a big score when opening pair Malcolm Serplet (41) and Steven Gray (41) put on 88 and were still cruising at 165-4 as Craig Heath added 46.

But Williams and Brathwaite destroyed their middle and lower order, divvying up the final six wickets between them for just 15 runs.

Unfortunately for Ludlow, Sentinel’s attack was even deadlier, as Andrew Harrison (5-12) left them on the brink of embarrassment at 42-9.

Last pair Louis Watkins (19no) and Williams (9) bravely saw off 73 balls between them, but Ludlow – who host Worfield this Saturday – were all out for just 72.

Ludlow’s seconds also had a disappointing day, Harry Small (27) top-scoring as they were all out for 76 in reply to Oswestry’s 157.

Their batting woes negated fine earlier bowling displays from Alfie Holliehead (5-30) and Glen Whittaker (3-44) but Oswestry opener Josh Darley’s 73 proved the match-winning contribution.

In Division Four, Church Stretton’s game with Calverhall fell victim to a wet outfield, while Bishops Castle lost at Acton Reynald.

Andrew Lewis (42no) top-scored as Castle could only post 101-5, a target Acton opener Ian Fox’s unbeaten 66 ensured the hosts passed with ease.

In Division Six, Corvedale were also left to rue a batting collapse, the theme of the day, in a 45-run defeat to Harcourt.

Harry Aldridge (3-14) and Glyn Tipton (3-27) helped dismiss the visitors for just 119 but Corvedale were skittled for 74 in reply, Tipton top-scoring with 22.