AUGUST has turned into a month too far for weakened Ludlow CC as they suffered their fourth straight Shropshire League Premier Division defeat last weekend.

High-flying Reman Services were their latest conquerors, with the Shrewsbury-based side securing a comfortable 95-run verdict at The Burway.

Former Ludlow captain Louis Watkins (5-69) had Reman Services in early strife on 18-4 in muggy conditions, but as things eased Ed Ashlin (43), Philip Cardle (76) and Craig Heath (74) organised a recovery to raise the visitors to a more than decent 253-9 off 50 overs.

Ludlow, weakened by unavailability and clashes with both football and rugby, then slipped from 22-1 to 39-6 and it needed skipper Sam Edwards to prevent the prospect of a humiliating defeat. He struck a defiant 22 before being eighth man with the total on 80, and Ludlow were eventually dismissed for 97 in the 30th over.

Club spokesman Phil Parker said: “Louis found plenty of movement early on and we could have had Reman on 18-7 rather than 18-4 but we dropped some crucial catches.

“Between the first and second teams I think we had 22 players unavailable, but all the same our batting again performed way below par.”

Ludlow 2nd also suffered at the hands of their Reman Services counterparts after the home team matched their senior side’s efforts in scoring 256-4. Kevin Boulton hit 61 for Ludlow but they were hanging on at 166-8 when lightning and an impending downpour forced an early finish with two overs remaining.

Ludlow were unable to field a 3rd XI against Wheaton Aston on Saturday and the 4th were denied by the weather on Sunday, their clash with Wellington 6th washed out after 12 overs with Ludlow on 48-2, Sam Roberts on 16 not out.