Big win for Newtown

The cricket season is heading into its home straight with all to play for as Welshpool threw themselves a lifeline and Guilsfield got their promotion bid back on track. Newtown won well, but it was a tough day for Montgomery.

Newtown are sitting comfortably in the top half of Division One after a big win over border rivals Alberbury.

The bowlers delivered with Dave Anthony (4-19) and Craig Davies (3-35) ripping through Alberbury’s line-up to restrict them to 120.

Veteran Dai Brown (36) and John Anthony (48) got the reply off to the best start as openers with only their wickets lost in reply for an eight-wicket win.

Welshpool have thrown themselves a Division Two lifeline with a vital win over Wroxeter.

Opener Nick Davies (69), Dan Chodecki (32) and James Breese (32no) steered Welshpool through to 184 from their 40 overs.

Greg Jones (3-23) and Patrick Davies (2-17) then did the damage with the ball to see Welshpool home with ease as the response crumbled to 55 all out.

It was a disappointing afternoon for Montgomery who suffered a nine-wicket defeat at promotion-chasing Chirk.

Only Alex Bromley (10no) made double figures as Montgomery folded for just 47 runs, an easy target for the hosts.

Both Montgomery and Newtown’s second teams suffered defeats in Division Five, but Guilsfield  & Llandrinio reignited their Division Six promotion push with a comfortable victory over Pontesbury II.

Dave Court took 3-38 as Guilsfield dismissed their visitors for 130, before opener Andy Clements (50) and skipper Dave Lewis (22no) guided the hosts home and back to third in the table.