LUDLOW were involved in a nail-biting contest at St Georges in the Premier Division of the Shropshire League, finally losing by just four runs.

The hosts were soon in trouble at the hands of the Ludlow bowlers with skipper Ruel Brathwaite sending the top three St Georges batsman back to the pavilion for just 19 runs.

Brathwaite finished with 3-17 and there were useful contributions from Louis Watkins (2-24) and Luke Miles (2-23) with the other wickets being snaffled up by Sam Roberts, Alfie Holliehead and Josh Williams as the home side were all out for 127.

With openers Sam Edwards and Matthew Hawes falling cheaply, Ludlow’s reply got off to a rocky start and at one stage they were reeling at 29-5.

Roberts (24), Miles (24) and Brathwaite (16) steadied the innings but all three fell to Azaad Rafiq (4-19) who then clean bowled last man Holliehead with Ludlow still five runs short of victory.