LUDLOW CC’s Will Sparrow admits a big month looms for the side in August as the Burway men look to put any Shropshire Premier relegation fears to rest once and for all.

Saturday’s defeat at Worfield – in a game that became a Twenty20 due to rain – left Ludlow eighth in the table with seven games of the season remaining.

With all four of the sides below them rained off, Ludlow remain 48 points above the bottom two but they face that quartet – St Georges, Allscott Heath, Madeley and Bomere Heath – on successive weekends in August.

Sparrow, who was stand-in skipper for the game at Worfield, said: “We picked up six points when others down the bottom who were called off only picked up five, so all in all it was okay.

“We have a few big weeks coming at us in August with the teams below us down at the bottom to play.

“We chanced our arm on Saturday in a reduced overs game and we just weren’t good enough with the ball but credit to Worfield – they played well, especially their pro (Michael Delacovo).”

Sparrow (45) high-scored with the bat for Ludlow, his 47 partnership with James Kinder (36) the highlight of the visitors’ innings as they were restricted to 126-8 from their 20 overs.

An early wicket for Louis Watkins (2-33) in Worfield’s reply only served to bring Delacovo to the crease and the Aussie bludgeoned a stunning 62 off 29 to lead them to victory inside 16 overs.

Ludlow seconds lost by 71 runs to Willey in a Division Three game reduced to 35 overs each.

Olly Leggett (4-43) topped the bowling figures but Ludlow could only muster 181-8 in response to Willey’s 252-2 as Rob Genner (38) top-scored.