A 'Balt from the blue' as Newtown debutant shines

It was a ‘Balt from the Blue’ in Newtown as their new overseas signing from Namibia made an immediate impact in MSG Shropshire Division Four.

The tall left-handed batsman, JC Balt, also showed that he can bowl, taking 4-25 from nine overs as Newtown restricted Bomere Heath to 126-8 from their 45 overs.

Newtown’s reply started well with John Anthony hitting 27 and he was supported by double-figure knocks from several others to ease home in the 38^th over for the loss of six wickets.

Welshpool’s Division Three match was cancelled, but Montgomery’s new life in Division Three after relegation didn’t get off to a good start.

Chasing newly promoted Broseley’s 199-4, Monty were dismissed for just 86 with only Aaron Ruff-Cock (38no) providing serious resistance.

It was a day that Guilsfield & Llanrdinio will never forget, and certainly one that will live long in the memory for one debutant.

Katie Parfitt became the first woman ever to play for the club, and what a debut it was, turning in a match winning performance at Condover to see the villagers top the MSG Shropshire Division Four.

After being put into bat, it was Katie’s husband, opener Rhodri, who held the innings together with a well-constructed 35, before Duncan Todd’s 40 not out, Jordan Evans (24) and Dave Lewis (21) steered them through to a respectable 168-8 from our 40 overs.

But it then became the Katie show, with the spinner taking a career best 6-14 from 6.4 devastating overs, to see Condover dismissed for 66.

The Llanidloes bowling attack was in sparkling form as they defended 116-8 in some style in Division Five.

Earlier, Opener Will Denham (57) led the way after his side were put into bat by Church Stretton, and with the game reduced to 30 overs, the visitors were never in control of the reply.

James Denham (3-7) led the charge, supported by Will Denham who crowned a fine day with 3-38.

Newtown II’s game in Division Five was cancelled, as were Montgomery II and Welshpool II’s matches in Division Six.

History was also made at the LHG Oval as Guilsfield II played their first ever game in Division Eight.

And it was an impressive debut for Garry Foster who returned figures of 4-14 as Beacon III stumbled to 93 all out. Finley Hunter also bagged a couple.

But only Foster (15) reached double figures in reply as the newcomers struggled against a strong attack, eventually finishing on 47 for a 46-run defeat.