LUDLOW CC were let down by their batting for the umpteenth time this summer as they failed to chase down a small target in a disappointing Shropshire Premier home defeat to Newport.

Chasing 144 to win after another stellar effort from their bowlers – with Joe Williams and Luke Miles both registering four wicket-hauls – Ludlow crumbled to 103 all out.

It was the sixth time in the league this season the Burway men have been dismissed for fewer than 160 and they have only surpassed 200 on three occasions.

Miles (4-20) and Williams (4-30) demolished Newport in a sublime spell, reducing them from 99-3 to 145 all out but opener Maisam Hasnain Jaffri’s 60 for the visitors would prove crucial.

Ludlow had no one who could come close to matching that innings, Sam Roberts top-scoring with 27, as they were all out for 103 in reply.

There was better news for Ludlow seconds who kept alive their Division Three championship hopes with victory at title rivals Shelton.

Ludlow rebounded from the loss of two early wickets as Will Gough (89) and Jack Condliffe (61) helped them post 267-7.

Shelton opener Rob Peel (62) and Alex Salisbury (44) threatened to make a game of it but the hosts ultimately fell 50 runs short on 217-9.

Scott Kemsley (2-33), Danny Bradley (2-38) and Richard Taylor (2-42) shared the wickets for third-placed Ludlow, who are 35 points behind leaders Oswestry with seven games remaining.

Elsewhere in the Shropshire League, five-wicket hauls for Bishops Castle skipper Simon Palmer and Corvedale’s Harry Aldridge could save neither side from defeat.

Castle paid the price for crumbling to 95 all out at Calverhall in Division Four – Richard Langford (29no) top-scoring – as the hosts limped home at 97-6 despite Palmer’s excellent 5-32.

Corvedale remain bottom of Division Six despite a brave effort at promotion-chasing Column.

Chris Moore (53) and Glyn Tipton (41) led Corvedale to 172 and when Aldridge (5-41) dismantled the hosts’ top order a shock looked on but Nigel Newman (32no) guided Column home at 175-7.

There was another five-wicket haul in Marches League Division Three as Dave Chance’s brilliant bowling helped Knighton on Teme to a 93-run win at Ledbury seconds.

A half-century from Matthew James (56), backed up by Robbie James’ 44, helped Knighton post 206-9, a total Ledbury could get nowhere near as Chance took 5-10 to skittle them for 113.

Tenbury Wells remain on course for promotion from Worcestershire League Division Nine after a seven-wicket win at Stourbridge fourths.

After Rob Farrar (4-9) restricted Stourbridge to a paltry 101-9 from their 45 overs, Nigel Payne (34no), Alfie Watts (26) and Tom Gloster (21no) guided Tenbury home at 103-3.

Second-placed Tenbury now face three huge weekends with games against the other top-four sides, starting at home to third-placed Worcester thirds this Saturday.