LUDLOW forced themselves back into the reckoning and moved up to joint second spot with this comprehensive victory over Shropshire League Division One leaders St George's.

Ludlow scored 229-7 and St Geroge's replied with 165.

Invited to bat the home side lost Ross Wharton with only one run on the board.

Prolific Aussie Shannon Tubb then played his usual swashbuckling innings to rattle up a quick-fire 50 in just 46 balls before holing out at long-on.

Opener Kinsey Hern made a patient 22, and then skipper Porteous and Dave Bottoms put together for a useful third wicket stand.

Porteous departed for 16, and then Bottoms and Willie Moore made a timely fifth wicket stand of 76 to pull the home innings together.

Bottoms made a valuable 55 and Moore quickly followed for a useful 36. Paul Sparrow kept up the momentum with a swift 22 until he was caught off the last ball.

St George's raced to 45 off the first nine overs before Porteous came on to change things around. This was an inspired move and opener George Cooke nicked his second ball into the safe hands of slip Tubb.

Steve Hood, bowling his usual immaculate line and length, snared Chris Ward for a duck and suddenly the visitors charge was pegged back.

Left-arm spinner Tubb joined the attack and turned the game when he picked up the wickets of the dangerous Fraser Ward and Shropshire County player James Ralph.

Wickets fell regularly with Hood and Tubb bagging four apiece, and 16-year-old Mike Peacock bagging his maiden wicket for the first team.