Balt strikes in Newtown win
After being put into bat, Newtown reached 174 all out with openers John Anthony (48) and Iwan Smout (31) getting them off to a strong start.
But just as the hosts looked set to challenge the Newtown total, JC Balt took four wickets to ripped through the tail end and dismiss them for just 99 runs and keep Newtown third.
Welshpool and Montgomery suffered defeats in Division Three, with the former going down by 107 runs at Broseley and Monty losing by three wickets to Quatt II.
But Guilsfield & Llandrinio are right back in promotion contention in Division Four after a masterclass in batting from Andy Flann (83no) and Rhodri Parfitt (70no) secured a brilliant nine-wicket win at Shifnall III.
Chasing 183-8, with Lewis Todd taking 4-36, the pair set about their task with an unbreakable second-wicket partnership that elevated them back to third, and just six points behind Whitchurch II who tied their match with Newport II.
Newtown II kept their Division Five title hopes alive with a dramatic derby win over Llanidloes.
Matt Knight (33) top scored as Newtown set 140-8 from their 40 overs. There were three wickets apiece for Eogan Jones and Will Denham.
The match hung in the balance right until the end with Llanidloes eventually all out on 133 on the last ball. Evan Smout (4-25) was the chief destroyer as Newtown ended Llani’s promotion hopes, and boosted their own championship aspirations in the process.
Craig Pearce (48no) and Matt Jones (37) steered Montgomery II to Division Six victory at home to Harcourt by helping to set a first innings score of 146-6. Anthony Searle then took 3-10 as Monty dismissed their visitors for just 96.
Welshpool II were well beaten, also in Division Six, at home to Lilleshall II after being dismissed for just 63. Veteran Greg Jones took 4-25, but he couldn’t stop the visitors securing a four-wicket win.
Guilsfield & Llandrinio II came close to virtually securing the Division Eight title after Alex Parry’s brilliant 58 nearly saw them hold out for a draw with second placed Quayside at the LHG Oval.
But he was dismissed with two balls remaining to allow their closest rivals, who had posted 237-5, to gain full points. Rupert Shingler (26) and Garry Foster (25) also contributed towards the Guilsfield chase which finished on 184.
Saturday fixtures
Division One
Newtown v Bridgnorth II
Division Three
Ludlow II v Montgomery
Welshpool v Column
Division Four
Guilsfield & Llandrinio v Shrewsbury III
Division Five
Calverhall v Newtown II
Llanidloes v Cae Glas
Division Six
Montgomery II v Welshpool II
Division Eight
Quayside v Guilsfield II
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