A rare whitewash for local clubs

04/08/2021 @ 09:07

It was a day to forget for the local cricket clubs with every single team based on this side of the border suffering a defeat in the Henshalls Shropshire Leagues.

Newtown’s tremendous run came to a halt at Division One leaders St Georges who posted a large total of 263-9 to chase.

Early wickets fell in reply, but Tom Anderson (38) and Sion Jarman (28) brought some respectability to the response which ended well short 154 all out.

Montgomery were out-of-sorts when their run of five straight wins was broken at Shelton II in Division Two.

After being put in to bat, Andrew Barker hit 85, but his innings was even more impressive considering no other teammate made double figures as they were dismissed for just 128. Shelton cruised home in the 29th over with just three wickets lost.

Welshpool fell well short in their pursuit of Willey’s 213-7 in Division Three. Rob Anderson (3-33) proving the most profitable bowler.

Paul Chapman top scored with 33 not out as Welshpool’s chase ended on 139 all out.

Guilsfield & Llandrinio suffered their second defeat of the season against Whitchurch II at the LHG Oval, opening the door for their title rivals to close the gap at the top of Division Five.

Their decision to bowl backfired as the visitors set a brisk early run rate, but Finley Hunter (2-14) and Jacob Lloyd (2-18) fought back to restrict Whitchurch to 165 all out.

For once though, the top order struggled against a strong opening bowling attack, and by the time the in-form Hunter (27no) and Garry Lewis (20) put up some sort of resistance, the game was lost, narrowing their lead at the top to 36 points.

Newtown II were set a target of 200-0 to chase at Much Wenlock and despite Matt Knight (58) and Richard Smout (44) giving them a good start, Newtown II ran out of steam to finish on 182-5 from their allotted 30 overs.

In Division Six, Llanidloes saw their match fall victim to Covid-19, while Montgomery II suffered a heavy defat at the hands of Shrewsbury III.

Youngster Leighton Blagg (2-34) was the pick of the Monty bowlers as they were set a huge target of 268-6 to chase. Patrick Fletcher (18no) was the only Monty batsman to make double figures as the reply ended on just 57.

Welshpool II completed a miserable day for local cricket as they suffered a heavy defeat at home to Chirk II.

After electing to bat, Welshpool were dismissed for just 49, which wasn’t a problem for the visitors who secured a seven-wicket win.

PICTURE (By Phil Blagg Photography): Youngster Leighton Blagg in action for Montgomery II.

Saturday fixtures

Division One

Alberbury v Newtown

Division Two

Montgomery v Ellesmere

Division Three

Wem v Welshpool

Division Five

Willey II v Guilsfield & Llandrinio