St George's 206-8 Ludlow 131-

LUDLOW skipper Mark Port-eous won the toss and invited St George's, last season's runners-up in the Shropshire Premier League, to bat on a typical slow early season wicket with unpredictable bounce.

Although the Ludlow bowling attack lacks any real pace his decision was justified as the early home batsmen struggled against the seam of Steve Hood and the off-spin of young student George Curtis.

Wickets fell at regular intervals and St George's were reduced to a parlous 80-5 after 21 overs. However former Ludlow batsman James Ralph was starting to find the middle of the bat and after being dropped on 35, rode his luck for a hard-hitting 80, until stumped by Ben Andrews.

Shannon Tubb, Ludlow's Tasmanian newcomer joined the attack and showed promise with his left-arm spin to claim two late wickets as St George's posted a useful 206-8 off their 50 overs.

Hood finished with 1-44 off 13 steady overs and Curtis bowled unchanged for 3-104 off 24 overs.

Ludlow made a poor start to their innings with Andrews unable to get his gloves away from a ball which reared off a length, and he was soon followed by Mike Payne. Tubb looked a class batsman and with skipper Porteous steadied the innings. However both went in quick succession, Tubb for a nice 30 and Porteous for 17.

Although second team skipper Steve Burgoyne (12), Alex Robinson (16no) and Hood (15), added useful runs. The steady home attack were always in control and the last Ludlow wicket fell with the visitors some 76 runs short of their winning target.