Monty cruising at the top

Montgomery appear to be cruising towards the Shropshire Cricket League Division Two title after another strong batting performance secured the lion’s share of the points against Bishop’s Castle.

After being put in to bat, the top order all made progress with Aaron Ruff-cock (60) and Tim Davies (42) leading the way as they reached 198-6 from their 40 overs. Bishop’s Castle put up strong resistance to deny Monty an outright victory by clinging on to 106-6.

Welshpool nudged closer to Montgomery in second with a big win over Church Stretton who were dismissed for 59 chasing Welshpool’s 184-3.

Opener Paul Chapman struck a fine 97 to provide the backbone for Welshpool’s innings, before the brilliant Keiran Evans took 5-7 to see off any Church Stretton resistance.

Newtown remain just nine points clear at the top of Division One table after a frustrating rain-hit weekend.

Facing main rivals Market Drayton, the game was hanging in the balance at tea after the Shropshire hosts posted 158-8 with Newtown’s Jonathan Davies taking 5-29 from 12 overs.

But with the weather closing in, the match ended in the 19^th over with Newtown on 48-3, leaving them with 10 points from the afternoon’s work, one more than their rivals.

Guilsfield’s promotion charge was also hit by the weather after they were forced to call it a day early at Hinstock who amassed an excellent 190-2 from their 35 overs. As the clouds gathered Guilsfield tried to force a quick chase but were thwarted on just 26-0 to settle for six points which leaves them in third, a point behind Overton.

In the reserve divisions, both Welshpool II and Montgomery II were left without fixtures but Newtown II lost an exciting game at home to Albrighton, when their 155-8 was overtaken in the 33^rd over. Chris Bound had earlier finished unbeaten on 78 for Newtown.