After being invited to bat Sparrow blasts 61 off 18 balls to set up the win

ROB Genner and Paul Sparrow plundered 92 runs off only 41 balls in a blistering unbroken fifth wicket stand to set up a Ludlow victory in the Shropshire Premier Reserve League at The Burway.

Newport won the toss and asked Ludlow to bat, a decision that brought a smile to the face of home skipper Steve Burgoyne.

In a scorching temperature Steve Small and Burgoyne set a brisk scoring rate and rattled up a quick 60 before Small fell for 24. Genner joined Burgoyne and they continued the bright tempo to take the score to 113 before Burgoyne fell lbw for a fine 61.

Michael Payne (20) and Ian Simmonds (6) shared brief stands with Genner, but it was the arrival of Sparrow that set the sparks flying.

In a brutal attack on the tiring Newport bowlers Sparrow blasted six sixes and five fours in scoring 61 off only 18 balls, with Genner also completing a superb century to reach an undefeated 113 before his skipper declared with an over to spare.

Newport made a positive start to their innings with Will Askin hitting a bright 30 before he became the first victim of 16-year-old seamer Michael Peacock, who picked up 3-23 off his six overs (the maximum spell a young bowler can bowl under league rules).

Although Newport kept up with the asking rate wickets fell regularly with off-spinner Charlie Ephraim (2-50) and his son Will (1-26) keeping the pressure on.

Dave Tuckett-Wood took what many regarded as one of the best catches seen at The Burway when he dived full-length to hold a fierce drive at extra cover, and then for good measure finished off the visitors with 2-26.