Shropshire Premier Division

Whitchurch picked up a massive seven-wicket win on their travels at Ludlow to keep the pressure on the top four in the Shropshire Cricket League Premier Division on Saturday.

The hosts elected to bat after winning the toss but it was soon a decision they regretted after they were bowled out for just 123 by a rampant Whitchurch attack, in just 29 overs.

Ludlow made a solid start, reaching 21 before Luke Miles was caught behind by Eddie Lewis for eight off the bowling of skipper Daniel Bowen.

From there, it became a routine of wickets and runs as Ludlow continued to move their score on but Whitchurch continued to take plenty of wickets.

It proved to be the Lewis show as the keeper, who is up for Midlands trials, took all five catches in the innings as Elliott Bowen joined the party with a bullseye performance, while skipper Bowen also grabbed three wickets.

The Ludlow score was bolstered by some fine resistance from home skipper Ruel Brathwaite who finished 43 not out but did not have a partner who could stick around as Lewis took further catches off Nadeem Ahmad and Jack Batkin.

Vansh Bajaj took the final wicket in a fine bowling display for Whitchurch.

In reply, the in-form Matthew Batkin was surprisingly out early, leaving Whitchurch 1-1 as he was given out lbw off Miles’ bowling for one.

But opening partner Salim Ahmed played a patient innings to set the platform for victory as he scored 43 from 109 balls with supporting cameos from Elliott Bowen, who scored 39 from 58 balls and Ijaz Yousaf, who finished with a red inker of 28.

Simon Dimelow was the other man out as Whitchurch reached their target in the 38th over as Whitchurch jumped onto 165 points.

Meanwhile, the second XI also recorded a solid win as they eased past Newtown’s second XI at Heath Road on Saturday.

Batting first, Dave Marvell was the pick of the home batting when he scored a superb 87 before he was bowled by Danny Foulkes.

He was given able support from opener Josh Wharton, who scored 47 and John Peers, who reached 55 before he too was bowled by Danny Foulkes.

Billy Ward finished 26 not out.

In reply, Newtown reached 210-7 from their 40 overs, falling 37 runs short of their target, with Foulkes and Matt Humphreys both posting half-centuries but Chris Brothwood and Peers took three wickets apiece to keep the score down.

On Saturday, the first XI will host Worfield while the second XI will face Condover.