Newtown 130 all out lost to Ludlow 131-7 by three wickets

NEWTOWN paid the price for their poor batting display in a three wicket defeat at home to Ludlow.

The omens were not good for the hosts when opener Tom Goodman was snared LBW by Ruel Braithwaite (1-24) for a duck.

Ryan Davies joined Matthew Knight in a 30 run second wicket stand before the latter was caught by Joe Williams off Louis Watkins (1-16) for 13.

Davies and Tom Foulkes looked to kick start the home innings and added 35 runs for the third wicket before Davies was caught by Luke Miles off Alfie Hollihead for a top scoring 32.

Hollihead promptly completed his 2-16 with Jack Morris bowled for a duck to leave Town on just 68-4.

Tom Foulkes (28) was joined by Sam Cooke (7) in adding 27 runs for the fifth wicket before both fell to Joe Williams in quick succession to leave Town 89-6.

Williams (3-30) completed his haul with the wicket of Dave Anthony, caught by Braithwaite for 10, with Luke Miles (3-17) accounting for the rest of the tail end as Ally Laird (11), Tom Anderson (9) and Dave Anthony (7) fell to leave Town defending 130.

Anderson led the home side’s reply with the swift removal of opener Matthew Hawes and Gareth Parker for ducks.

However surviving opener Sam Edwards was joined by Josh Williams in a 37 run third wicket partnership before being trapped LBW by Laird (1-25) for 20.

Bryant Galpin (1-23) removed Sam Roberts to leave Ludlow 63-4 before Williams and Braithwaite formed a 42 run fifth wicket stand to guide the visitors to within sight of their target.

Dave Anthony (1-33) finally trapped Williams LBW for a top scoring 39 before Anderson completed his 3-18 with the removal of Oliver Boulton (3) and run out of Miles (1).

However Ludlow were not to be denied with Braithwaite (37no) joined by Watkins (6no) in guiding their side to 131-7 and three wicket victory in the 46th over.