Newtown fall well short

Newtown bowled themselves into a winning position at home to Premier League title chasers Quatt, but again their batsmen struggled for runs.

John Anthony took 6-34 as the visitors were dismissed for 160, but with only Jack Morris (33no) making any progress, Newtown fell well short on 81 all out to remain in the bottom two.

Welshpool earned 10 valuable Division One points in a draw at Alberbury who had posted a target of 190-8 to chase.

Nick Davies (48) and Dan Pritchard (30) top scored as Pool frustrated their hosts by holding out on 152-7 from their 45 overs.

Veteran batsman Stan Davies held off Ludlow’s bowling attack to secure 10 draw points for Montgomery in Shropshire Division Two.

Ludlow III ended their innings on 162 with Aaron Ruff-Cock the pick of the Montgomery bowling attack as he took 6-52.

In reply, Montgomery stuttered to 130-9 with only Andrew Barker (35) and wicketkeeper Rob Bennett (44no) enjoying time at the crease.

In the closing stages of the game Bennett and Davies held on to secure the draw.

Guilsfield’s inability to bowl teams out in the second half of the season was prevalent again as they were unable to defend their 157 all out at title chasing Trysull in Division Four. Gary Griffiths (45) and Dave Lewis (34) scored runs, but it wasn’t enough as the hosts cruised home for the loss of just four wickets.

Montgomery II shocked Alberbury II in Reserve Division One as they skittled their rivals out for 96 and then knocked off the winning runs for the loss of just three wickets.

Rob Yewdall took a season’s best of 6-30, while there were also wickets for Neil Tuffin (2-12) and Charlie Kinsey (1-22). A special mention must also go to youngster Morgan Matthews who bowled four tight overs on his debut for Montgomery.

In reply, Tim Davies scored 35 not out after Dave Jones had hit a quick-fire 20 as the threat of rain loomed large over Lymore and could easily have washed the game off if the batsmen didn’t manage to find quick boundaries.

Newtown II maintained their Reserve Division Two title chase with a six-wicket win at struggling Shifnal Fourths.

Chasing 134, an unbeaten 60 from the in-form Danny Foulkes saw Newtown home in the 36^th over with just four wickets lost.

Dave Whitehouse hit 54 as Welshpool II picked up the lion’s share of points from an exciting draw with Cae Glas II.

Welshpool posted 134-4 from their 40 and then bowled superbly to restrict the visitors to 128-6.