Title chases will go to the wire

Two local clubs will see their title bids go right down to the final games of the season following a dramatic weekend of Shropshire League action.

Guilsfield and Llanidloes are both in the hunt in their leagues, but Welshpool face a battle at the other end of the table in their league.

Meanwhile, Newtown are unbeaten in their last three matches after picking up another 18 points from a winning draw against Cound in Division One.

After deciding to bat, Newtown posted a reasonable 211-9 with Tom Anderson hitting a swashbuckling 71 from mid-order and Sam Cooke added 33.

Newtown’s attack couldn’t quite secure the full points with Cound holding out for 130-7.

There were low scoring defeats for both Montgomery and Welshpool, with the latter staring relegation from Division Two in the face after a four-wicket defeat at Forton.

Batting first, Russell Cadwallader made 56 of his side’s 121, with the hosts easing their way home for the loss of six wickets.

Montgomery could only make 102 for Wellington to chase with Aaron Ruff-Cock top scoring on 33. The hosts made easy work of the reply with one wicket lost.

Guilsfield are right back in the Division Six title mix following a fine six-wicket win at Cound II.

Veteran seamer Allan Williams took 4-20 and Duncan Todd claimed 4-15 to reduce Cound II to just 96 all out, allowing Andy Pugh (44no) to lead Guilsfield home in the 20^th over.

Llanidloes lost their long-standing lead at the top of Division Seven after losing to Lilleshall II, who join them at the top.

Adrian Foulkes smashed an unbeaten 59, but his team struggled to 120 all out, which wasn’t a problem for the visitors who picked up an eight-wicket win.

But the performance of the day came in Division Eight, where opener Lance Parkes carried his bat for a brilliant 143 as his Welshpool II side amassed 256-3 against Iscoyd & Fenns Bank. Dale Evans added 66.

The visitors held out for 133-9, but Welshpool still picked up an important 20 points.