Whitchurch 2nd 131-5 Ludlow 2nd 132-6-

LUDLOW claimed their first victory of the season in the Shropshire Premier Reserve League with a four-wicket win over visiting Whitchurch.

Home skipper Steve Burgoyne won the toss and asked the visitors to bat on a damp wicket. This proved to be good decision with seamers Justin Wheatley and Burgoyne removing the prolific scoring Whitchurch openers cheaply.

Number three Rowland Jones (45) and Martin Jones (33no) stopped the rot but with a couple of rain interruptions reducing the allotted overs to 40 per innings, could not raise the tempo, with Whitchurch only posting 131-5.

Wheatley finished with 2-30 off 13 steady overs, and he was backed up by Burgoyne, Mike Peacock and Dave Tuckett-Jones with a wicket each.

Ludlow opener Steve Small (4) went quickly, but Burgoyne (16) and number three Rob Genner (22) kept the scoreboard ticking to take the total past 50.

Both went in quick succession, but Paul Sparrow (44no) came in to steady the innings and with good support from Tuckett-Goode (16) steered Ludlow to victory with four wickets in hand and five overs left.