LUDLOW missed out on a chance to close on Proactive Shropshire League Division One leaders St George's with probably their poorest batting display of the season.

Madeley hit 182 and Ludlow replied with 127.

Having dismissed their visitors for a modest total they had the opportunity to collect maximum points, but abject batting saw them fall 56 runs short of the winning target.

Home skipper Mark Porteous won the toss and asked Madeley to bat. This decision was justified when his opening bowlers Steve Hood and Peter Milner, making only his second appearance of the season, established a stranglehold on the early batsmen. Both took a wicket as Madeley crawled to 40-2 off the first 21 overs.

Number three Steve Jones proved difficult to move and he was joined by Mike Mason in a stubborn fifth wicket stand.

However Hood and Milner persisted with a good line and length and each bagged a five wicket haul as Madeley posted a modest total of 182. Hood finished with 5-64 off his 20 overs and Milner weighed in with 5-42 off 13.4 overs.

Feeling confident of reaching their target Ludlow were let down by their top order as they slumped to 22-4 after 12 overs, three falling to lbw decisions.

Kinsey Hern tried to halt the slide with a patient 24, but when he departed Ludlow's middle order crumbled and they crashed to a precarious 50-7 after 30 overs.

Dave Bottoms pulled things around with a stubborn 36 not out, and although he received support from George Curtis (19) and Steve Hood (13), Ludlow were bowled out for a paltry 127.