Newtown, Llani, Monty all in form

23/08/2023 @ 09:37

Newtown’s MSG Shropshire Division One title bid remains on track after a formidable victory on the road at Chirk.

Jonathan Davies came into the attack to take a welcome 3-34 to ensure that the hosts were restricted to 145 all out, opening the door for Newtown’s batters to take control.

Overseas star JC Balt finished unbeaten on 53, while John Anthony (48) and Ally Laird (29) contributed towards Newtown securing the six-wicket win to remain second with four matches left.

Montgomery missed out on clinching full points at St George’s II to dent their slim hopes of a top two finish in Division Three.

Batting first, Monty batted well for 212 all out with Alex Bromley (53), Rob Bennett (35) and Shaun Randall (34) all amongst the runs.

But the hosts frustrated Monty, holding out on 163-8 despite the best efforts of Nathan Smith (4-29) and Ed Bennett (3-40).

At the other end of the table, Welshpool were sucked towards the bottom two after a seven-wicket home defeat at Ludlow II.

Openers Lance Parks (41) and Chris Proctor (39) got Pool off to a good start, but the rest of the line-up struggled and finished on 158 all out, which the visitors reached in the 39^th over.

Guilsfield and Llandrinio’s Division Four promotion challenge faltered after a youthful Whitchurch II impressed at the LHG Oval.

Batting first, the visitors amassed 238 all out despite lead wicket-taker Katie Parfitt (3-78) again doing her bit.

But the Whitchurch attack was aggressive and thanks to a steadfast 45 from Rhodri Parfitt, the Guils were able to hold out for 122-9 for seven points, but it drops them further behind their second-placed opponents.

Second-placed Newtown II were gifted the points by Iscoyd & Fenns Bank who pulled out the night before, but Llanidloes stayed in touch with them in third as the Division Five title chase reaches its final stages.

Adrian Foulkes was in sizzling form for Llani as they looked imperious against Much Wenlock.

Foulkes smashed 52, with Andrew Jones adding 49, as the hosts made 215-7, and then the all-rounder span his way to 8-16 as Much Wenlock were rolled over for 110.

James Roberts took 4-26 as Montgomery II picked up a five-wicket win over Wroxeter & Uppington II in Division Six.

Monty restricted their hosts to 138-9 from 40 overs, before openers Tom Corfield (30) and Matt Jones (30) combined to help the hosts through to victory in the 39^th over.

In the same division, Welshpool II were bowled out for 95 by Column II with Callum Preston (29) top scoring, allowing the hosts to cruise home in the 28^th over.

A batting collapse saw Guilsfield and Llandrinio II falter in their Division Eight title hunt at Cae Glas II, who set a target of 155-5. Ivor Pearsall (4-36) was the stand-out bowler.

But it was on off-day for the batsmen, with the Guils dismissed for just 50. They remain top, but it’s getting tight with just three games left to play.

PICTURE: Phil Blagg captures Montgomery’s Shaun Randall in batting action against St Georges II

Saturday fixtures

Division One

Newtown v Frankton

Division Three

Montgomery v Welshpool

Division Four

Harpers v Guilsfield & Llandrinio

Division Five

Iscoyd & Fenns Bank v Llanidloes

Cae Glas v Newtown II

Division Six