Disappointing day for Monty, Newtown

Newtown were set 280-4 at Worfield on a largely disappointing day for local clubs in the Shropshire Cricket League.

The visitors’ response fell 109 runs short with a 44 from Jack Morris topping the scores.

Welshpoolhave dropped back into the bottom three of Shropshire Division One after a low scoring defeat against title chasing Pontesbury.

Extras (23) top scored as Welshpool limped through to 97 all out, allowing Pontesbury to secure the points in the 27th over despite a brave fightback from the bowlers who took seven wickets.

Montgomery’sDivision Two title bid stuttered on Saturday as they lost by six wickets to Shifnal III.

Batting first, Montgomery ended their innings on 204-5 with Tim Davies hitting an unbeaten century and Andrew Barker chipping in 44.

Davies’ 100 not out was his first century of the season but despite this the bowling attack were unable to prevent this visitors strolling to victory with 10 overs to spare. Sam Williams took 3-28.

Montgomery remain second in the league but are now 40 points behind Ellesmere, who won on Saturday. Shifnal Thirds are third, just 15 points behind Montgomery.

Guilsfield performed another tremendous fightback for the second match running to secure vital points at home to Corvedale in Division Four.

The English visitors toiled their way to 177, and looked odds-on for victory when the Guilsfield top order fell cheaply, but a solid mid-order led by Andy Pugh (37) enabled Dave Court to strike a match-winning 31 not out to secure the thrilling three-wicket win.

Also in Division Four, Llanidloeswere set 211-4 to chase by Column, but were reduced to 100 all out in the 27^thover.

In the Reserve Divisions, Montgomery IIlost at Quatt despite an inspired batting partnership between Matthew Jones and Rob Yewdall. Opener Jones fell in the final over for 51 while Yewdall rescued a slow start by accelerating the score to 171-6 with an unbeaten 64.

However, Quatt surpassed Montgomery’s tally in the 32nd over for the loss of seven wickets.

Ricky Davies (63) and Richard Smout (52no) guided Newtown IIto 154-5 against Beacon II before Brandon Baynham took 6-16 to steal the show for Newtown and secure top spot in Division Two.

Runs were scarce as Welshpool IIwere bowled out for 57 chasing Much Wenlock II’s 86 in Division Three.