Skipper fires Monty to victory

Sam Williams starred with bat and ball as Montgomery beat Church Aston by four wickets in Shropshire Division Two.

The skipper took 4-52 to help reduce Church Aston to 162-9 and then scored 35 with the willow as Montgomery secured all 20 points to keep them second in the league standings.

With the game reduced to 35 overs due to the threat of rain, Church Aston got off to a good start with their opening batsman, Avi Mathur, scoring 77 before he was caught by Andrew Barker off the bowling of Alex Bromley (3-22). Eddie Bennett (2-16) was also in fine form with the ball, removing two of their top three batsmen for single figures.

In reply, Aaron Ruff-Cock found himself at the crease earlier than he would have liked but made light work of Church Aston’s bowling attack to score 44, a knock that included seven boundaries (5 x fours and 2 x sixes).

Ieuan Griffiths chipped in with 28 and Rob Bennett scored 26 as Montgomery won the game in the 32nd over for the loss of just six wickets.

Welshpool seem to be settling for a mid-table season in Division Two after a run-shy defeat at Wroxeter & Uppington.

Only a mid-order 38 from skipper Russell Cadwallader saved their blushes as they spluttered their way to 129 after being put in to bat.

The bowlers fought back, with Robert Anderson taking 4-24, but the hosts limped over the line in the 33^rd over with eight wickets lost.

Guilsfield were without a fixture for the second week running when their Division Four opponents, Beacon, couldn’t raise a side.

Llanidloes haven’t travelled well this season and were dismissed for just 47 at Bridgnorth III, with seven batsmen failing to register a run. The hosts cruised him with two wickets lost.

The Reserve Division Two title race is set to go down to the wire with Newtown II just three points clear at the top.

Chasing Broseley 151-6, Ricky Davies (47) and Sam Brown (39no) steered Newtown home in the 37^th over with just three wickets down.

Welshpool II remain in the promotion hunt in Division Three following a brilliant 118 from opener Mat Sherwood that helped them amass 231-7 at home to Quatt III. It proved well out of reach for the visitors after Harry Bowen took 4-14 to dismiss them for 108.

Montgomery II didn’t have a match this weekend due to a gap in the fixtures.