JC keeps Newtown in title contention

02/08/2023 @ 10:27

Newtown are right in the MSG Shropshire Division One title mix after a superb victory over Shifnal II on Saturday.

Overseas player JC Balt set the tone with a fine 89 and John Anthony hit 68 as Newtown amassed a mighty 68.

The score was adjusted due to the weather, but Tom Anderson (4-15) ensured there would be only one winner as the visitors were restricted to 41-5 from their allotted 21.1 overs.

The win means Newtown are just five points off leaders Frankton.

Montgomery remain just outside the Division Three promotion places after being gifted the game by Oswestry II on Saturday, but Welshpool slid closer to the bottom two with defeat to Church Aston.

Pool were set a challenging target of 221-9 to chase, with three wickets apiece for Mat McWhinnie and Rob Anderson, but the batsmen struggled with the visiting attack, eventually ending well short on 134 all out.

Guilsfield & Llandrinio lost a thrilling table topping encounter at Wheaton Aston in Division Four.

After being put in to bat, Rhodri Parfitt compiled a magical 76 and David Williams smashed 44 as the Guils managed 178 all out against some strong home bowling.

But a brilliant opening century partnership put the league leaders in control, before the bowlers hit back, led by Dave Jones (3-32) and Katie Parfitt (2-56), to make it a nervy closing few overs which saw Wheaton Aston secure a three-wicket win. Guilsfield remain second.

Newtown II have leapfrogged Llanidloes into the Division Five promotion places following a dramatic day’s cricket.

Llanidloes were beaten at Priorslee, despite Rob Davies taking 4-29 to restrict their hosts to 151 all out. Davies then top scored with 27 as Llani could only muster 123 all out, opening the door for Newtown II to move into second after they won at Willington IV.

Jonathan Davies (4-28) and three wickets apiece for Reino de Klerk and Riley Bellamore saw Newtown rip their hosts apart for just 43 runs, no problem for Newtown who only lost their two openers on their way to an eight-wicket victory.

Montgomery II gave their Division Six survival hopes a boost with a well-earned victory thanks to a strong bowling display and excellent opening partnership in reply.

Monty stayed out of the bottom two with a thumping 10-wicket win at Cound II who were dismissed for 113 with wickets shared around the impressive bowling attack.

Skipper Tom Corfield (53no) and opening partner Matt Jones (47no) then held their nerve to steer Monty out of the relegation zone.

Welshpool II had the lion’s share of the points in a high scoring winning draw at bottom side Ludlow III.

Dan Chodecki (95) led the way for Pool as they reached 192-5, before some tight bowling restricted the hosts to 150-7 from their 40 overs in reply.

It was a belter at the LHG Oval where teenager Lewis Todd inspired the Guilsfield & Llandrinio II to an edge-of-the-seat win to stay top of Division Eight.

Todd took 6-21, and skipper Gary Griffiths span 4-16 as visitors Chirk II were dismissed for 134 from 40 overs.

Jinil Thalakan (25) top scored in the stuttering Guilsfield reply, and Garry Foster (23) and Andy Trow (21) contributed vital runs as victory was secured with just one wicket left in the tank. The victory opens up a 19-point margin at the top.

CRICKET: Saturday fixtures

A list of the local action from the Mansfield Sports Group Shropshire League

Division One

Wroxeter & Uppington v Newtown

Division Three

St Georges II v Welshpool

Madeley II Montgomery

Division Four

Guilsfield & Llandrinio v Hodnet & Peplow

Division Five

Llanidloes v Wellington IV

Newtown II v Beacon II