Local sides frustrated

Newtown’s batsmen were again in form, but the bowlers couldn’t quite remove Alberbury in a high scoring Division One draw.

A masterful 109 from Hamish Harding paved the way for Newtown to post a decent looking target of 263-9 from their 50 overs, but they too faced a long afternoon in the field with the hosts holding out on 191-8 to spoil the party.

There were no such problems for Welshpool’s bowlers who made short work of Willey’s line-up, dismissing them for just 99.

Joe Monk (5-32) and Greg Jones (3-18) did the damage, with the batsmen then taking control and steering Pool home for the loss of two wickets, with Dale Evans and Tom Anderson both unbeaten on 33 and 42 respectively.

It was a long afternoon for Montgomery who started well, posting 230-6 for Cae Glass to chase. Tim Davies (78) and Ieuan Griffiths (40) led the way. But the visitors were in stubborn mood and frustrated the Monty attack, holding out on 108-7.

Guilsfield too were punished for not finishing off opponents after setting a big score when Quayside held out for a share of the spoils.

Sam Griffiths (83) and Dave Lewis (57) saw them through to 237-9, but the visitors enjoyed plenty of time in the middle too, batting out their 45 overs for 123-9 despite three wickets each for Griffiths and Rob Owen.

In the reserve divisions, Montgomery II made short work of Cae Glas II after bowling them out for just 58 thanks to 5-3 from Keith Griffiths in Division Two.

There were also superb wins in Division Three for Newtown II and Welshpool II, the latter chasing down 183 at Coverdale while the former posted a whopping 304-3 against Llanidloes II with centuries for Jack Morris (132) and Matt Humphreys (102no).