Ludlow Reserves 145-9

St George's 146-5

LUDLOW Reserves got themselves into a winning position in their Shropshire Premier Reserve League opener but a couple of heavy showers saw them handicapped by a wet ball and St George's, aided by a sparkling knock from their skipper John Morris, edged to victory with two overs to spare.

Acting skipper Steve Small lost the toss and Ludlow were invited to bat on a slow, wet wicket.

Opener Small dug in but wickets fell steadily at the other end until number five Willie Moore joined his skipper. They put together a fine 50 stand for the fourth wicket, but unfortunately they both fell in quick succession, Small for a well-crafted 33 and Moore a bright 38.

Wickets then fell regularly until a late flurry from Ian Simmonds (25) took them to a respectable 145-9 off their allotted 40 overs.

St George's also found runs difficult to come by as James Collins, two wickets and Kevin Boulton, one wicket, pegged them down.

Aided by a run-out they reduced the visitors to 40-4 before the rain intervened. Hampered by a wet ball the home bowlers struggled to maintain their early innings accuracy.

The visiting skipper Morris took full advantage, and with a superb array of shots produced a fine innings of 82 not out to steer his team to a five-wicket victory.