VICE-captain Luke Miles believes the Shropshire Premier better beware when Ludlow finally put together the collective performance they are capable of.

Ludlow continued their upturn in form with a 145-run thrashing of Madeley at The Burway last Saturday – a third win in four – to move up to eighth, just five points off fifth place.

Their displays this year have been characterised by individual brilliance – skipper Ruel Brathwaite’s innings-rescuing 73 and Will Sparrow’s six-wicket haul the latest examples at the weekend.

They visit third-placed Quatt this Saturday and Miles is desperate for Ludlow to begin firing on all cylinders to close the gap on the teams at the top.

He said: “It’s nice that different people are stepping up at different times, which helps us get over the line but by the same note it will be nice when the team clicks together.

“I don’t think we have had a complete team performance yet and when that happens it will be something (to behold) because we have a very strong side.

“We have to keep this good run going. It is win/loss cricket now for a big chunk of the summer and that suits our game more than win/loss/draw cricket.

“We want to see how high we can climb that table. While we are still a young side, in regards to Shropshire Premier cricket we are a very experienced young side now.”

Ludlow looked in trouble at 99-6 on Saturday, with Okera Bascome – a run-a-ball 24 – and Sparrow (43) the only members of their top order to perform.

However, captain Brathwaite salvaged the innings, smashing 73 off 45 balls, including five sixes, to haul them to 214-9 off a rain-reduced 33 overs, sharing a key seventh-wicket partnership of 87 with Ian Simmons (29).

In reply, Louis Watkins (2-22) struck twice early on before Sparrow destroyed the Madeley middle order on his way to stunning figures of 6-14.

Joe Williams (2-2) helped see off the tail as Madeley were skittled for a paltry 69 in the 18th over, with only one batsman, opener Andrew Laycock (22), reaching double figures.

The only blot on Ludlow’s weekend came on Sunday when an under-strength side lost at Quatt in round two of the Shropshire T20 Senior Slam.

Ludlow paid the price for a poor batting display, all out for 109, with only the again-impressive Sparrow (43) and Sam Roberts (33) making scores of note.

Quatt cruised home at 112-3 inside 15 overs to give themselves a chance of reaching finals day, which takes place at Ludlow in July.

Miles added: “It’s disappointing not to get to finals day at our own place but we didn’t disgrace ourselves even with a weakened side.

“It was good experience for the young lads who came in and helped us out.”