OPENER Sam Edwards and skipper Will Sparrow hit half-centuries for Ludlow but it wasn’t enough to see off Wem, the visitors securing a three-wicket win just in the nick of time.

And it means there’s little separating the handful of clubs at the top of the Shropshire League Premier Division table with former leaders Sentinel suffering a surprise defeat at the hands of Madeley.

Wem won the toss, put Ludlow in to bat and quickly had the home side reeling at 24-3 as Keanu Cooper, Harry Martin and Jack Griffiths all fell cheaply.

But Edwards and Sparrow then dug in for a 123-run partnership before the skipper was caught, his 72 coming off 80 balls and included seven fours and the only six of the innings.

Edwards was on 50 when he was caught but Sam Alford made a rapid 41 off 51 balls while Glen Whittaker was unbeaten on 19 at the close with the total on 254-8.

In reply, Wem struggled early on with Matt Kennedy (1-37) and Sparrow (3-46) disposing of the openers.

Chris Peel then struck 57 off 54 balls only for four quick wickets to fall leaving them wobbling on 148-6.

But any hopes of a Ludlow victory were ended as skipper Matt Cohen cut loose with Sam Peate (28) and Danny Cohen (18no) offering good support from the tail. The captain remained unbeaten on 88, a tally that came off just 93 balls and included ten fours and a six, as he saw his side home after they reached 257-7 in the 48th over.

Harry Martin took 2-44 with the other wicket being a run-out by Cooper.

A frustrated Ludlow captain paid tribute to Wem and the strength of their batting.

Sparrow said: “It was an exciting game to be involved in and I don’t think there will be many times this season when we score 250 and end up on the losing side.

“Wem have always had a good batting line-up but we looked to have the edge before Matthew Cohen came in and he’s a quality player.

“We were confident at the end of our innings because we can bowl teams out for less than 100 but we won’t come up against batting as good as that every week.

“At least other results went our way so it's all closed up at the top and I can see the leading group breaking away – we just need to be part of that.”

Ludlow have a chance to return to winning ways on Saturday when they head to mid-table Broseley.