Newtown, Llani hopes fade

It was another largely frustrating day for the local clubs as promotion hopes went for Newtown and Llanidloes, but one local village club is still going for honours. 

Guilsfield & Llandrinio returned to the top of the Henshalls Shropshire Cricket League Division Five following a dramatic day of action.

Facing a youthful and impressive Newtown II, league top scorer David Williams (39) got the innings off to a strong start before Steve Griffiths (28), Dan Brown (31) and big hitting Jordan Evans (22no) moved them to a total of 186-7.

There were early successes as Williams (4-32) took the important wickets of the Knight brothers Matt and Adam, but Newtown’s mid-order settled in to frustrate the Guilsfield attack for a long period, and moved the game towards a draw.

But Brown (2-10) and Griffiths (2-19) came to the rescue with a flurry of wickets to secure 24 points as Newtown were dismissed for 123 in the 33rd over.

Then came the news that leakers Column were frustrated with a losing draw against Alberbury II which meant the villagers leapfrogged them at the top to hold a slender lead of just three points with two games to play.

Newtown’s struggle for runs was highlighted again as their promotion chase finally ended at Bomere Heath in Division One.

The day started well with the attack reducing the hosts to just 126 all out with Tom Anderson bagging 5-26 and Dave Anthony taking 3-34. 

But runs have dried up recently for Newtown and the response could only muster 84 with Anderson making 26 of them.

Montgomery’s Division Two run chase against Forton came up 19 runs short in an entertaining match.

The visitors had posted 169 all out following a brilliant spell of bowling from Andrew Barker (7-34), but it proved out of reach as the reply faltered on 150.

Welshpool’s Division Three status hangs in the balance after another defeat against title chasing Wroxter & Uppington who posted 222-6 after being put in to bat.

The Pool response started well enough through Lance Parkes (35) but didn’t progress well, eventually finishing well short on 167. The defeat leaves Pool in the bottom two and needing to win the remaining two matches.

Llanidloes saw their Division Six hopes for promotion fade with a home defeat to Shrewsbury III that leaves them off the pace in third.

The visitors raced to 232-8 from their 40 overs, and while opener Andy Jones hit 59, there wasn’t much support as Llanidloes were dismissed for 125.

Montgomery II lost a high scoring match in the same division at home to Cound II who chased down 197-5 to win in the 36th over.