Newtown storm back to the top

28/06/2023 @ 12:17

Tom Anderson put in a masterful all-round performance to send Newtown back to the top of the MSG Shropshire Division One.

The skipper top scored with 54 as his side amassed 191-7 from their 45 overs against Bridgnorth II, and then took 6-36 to whittle the hosts out for just 103, ending a frustrating run of results to reclaim top spot as the season enters the halfway stage this weekend.

Montgomery are another side in form, extending their Division Three winning run to four matches as they eased past Ludlow II in some style.

After electing to bat, Ludlow were dismissed for 149 with Ed Bennett (4-23) and Charlie Kinsey (3-33) doing the damage.

Shaun Randall then led the charge to victory, smashing nine sixes on his way to 86 as Monty secured a five-wicket win to climb up to fourth in the table.

But it was Welshpool that pulled off the local result-of-the-day with a brilliant win at Division Three title favourites Column.

It has been a stop-start first half to the season for ’Pool, but their class shone through with a superb opening partnership to chase down 210.

Earlier, skipper Mat McWhinnie took 4-42 to ensure a reachable target which openers Nick Davies (76) and Pat Davies (70) set about achieving. Victory came in the 34^th over with just three wickets lost to propel Welshpool into mid-table comfort.

Guilsfield and Llandrinio have emerged as serious Division Four promotion contenders following another big run chase at Shrewsbury III.

After first team debutant Ivor Pearsall (3-47) and spinner Katie Parfitt (3-42) did their bit to reduce the hosts to 217 all out from 36 overs, the swashbuckling batters took centre stage once again.

And it was the man-in-form Andy Flann (58) who led the way, with Rhodri Parfitt (60no) and all-rounder Gary Meredith (38no) guiding them home in the 38^th over for the loss of just five wickets. The win keeps them one point off second spot.

Skipper Andrew Jones hit an unbeaten 69 to lead Llanidloes to victory and just one point off the top in Division Five.

Earlier Cae Glas made 150-7 with James Denham (3-34) the main Llani wicket taker.

Newtown are up to third in the division without bowling a ball, after Calverhall conceded.

Lance Parks (pictured) smashed a tremendous 121 as Welshpool II made a meaty 238-4 in their Division Six local derby with Montgomery II.

Chris Proctor added 53 as Welshpool’s first innings onslaught proved too much for Monty who were bowled out for 159. Proctor returned 3-30 but the evergreen Allan Williams topped the bowling charts with a brilliant 3-13 from eight overs.

There was another entertaining match at the LHG Oval where Guilsfield and Llandrinio II held onto top spot in Division Eight despite defeat to second-placed Quayside.

Skipper Gary Griffiths 3-25 did the most damage with the ball as the visitors ran up 170-9.

The Guilsfield reply was looking good, with the in-form Jinil Thilakan hitting 41 and Rupert Shingler (26) putting them in a strong position. But the tail collapsed and fell short on 152 all out.

Saturday fixtures

Division One

Newtown v Lilleshall

Division Three

Welshpool v Wem

Montgomery v Column

Division Four

Bridgnorth III v Guilsfield & Llandrinio

Division Five

Calverhall v Llanidloes

Church Stretton v Newtown II

Division Six