Run-shy Newtown suffer

Newtown suffered one of their heaviest defeats of the season to remain perilously close to the bottom of the Shropshire Premier League.

Chasing Bomere Heath’s 133-8, with Dave Anthony taking 4-43, Newtown were dismissed for just 50 with only Jack Morris (21) reaching double figures.

Welshpool were put to the sword after being bowled out by Beacon for just 98 in Division One. It could have been a lot worse too if veteran Dale Evans hadn’t weighed in with a late 40. The visitors had no trouble reaching their target for an eight-wicket win.

Alex Bromley battled through the pain to hit three fours in the closing stages as Montgomery secured a nail-biting four-wicket victory over local rivals Bishops Castle in Division Two.

Having hurt is back when bowling, Bromley came in at number seven against the odds and managed to hit an unbeaten 20 to guide Montgomery to 146-6 – passing Bishops Castle’s total with just three deliveries remaining.

Patrick Fletcher earlier starred with the ball for Montgomery as he took 4-31, while Bromley took 3-52.

In reply, Montgomery’s opening batsman Andrew Barker got his side off to a good start as he made 39, but when the rest of the top order fell cheaply Rob Bennett came in at six to score a crucial 26. The winning runs were hit by Harry Wilkinson, who finished 11 not out.

Guilsfield were understandably rusty after three weeks of Division Four inactivity due to opponents pulling out, so champions elect Bridgnorth III were the last team they would have wanted to face.

The league leaders posted 237-6 and despite opener Duncan Todd hitting 44, Guilsfield were dismissed for 141.

Adrian Foulkes top scored with 41 as Llanidloes posted 128 for title chasing Trysull to chase, which they managed for the loss of seven wickets.

Montgomery II returned home from title-chasing Worfield beaten, but not embarrassed.

It has been a tough season for Montgomery’s second team and when they visited Davenport Park on Saturday few gave them much chance of causing a shock against the reigning Reserve Division Two champions.

But batting first Montgomery posted 166 as experienced all-rounder Keith Griffiths top scored with an unbeaten 46. Jake Wilkinson and Matthew Jones both scored 20.

Worfield’s batting line-up proved too strong as they only lost two wickets before securing victory.

Despite a masterful 109 not out from opener Danny Foulkes, Newtown II slipped off the title pace in Reserve Division Two. Foulkes carried his bat as Newtown posted 181-2, but it wasn’t enough as hosts Bomere Heath II stunned their visitors with a five-wicket victory in the 35^th over.

Welshpool II were guilty of not posting enough runs as David Whitehouse’s 49 was a rare bright spot in their innings of 116-8. Fellow opener Allan Williams also added 31, but Iscoyd & Fenns Bank made it home in the 30^th over with five wickets lost.