Clubs set for title showdowns

We are set for a dramatic final fortnight in the Shropshire cricket season which could see not one, but two local sides crowned champions.

Both Guilsfield and Llanidloes remain in the title mix in their divisions after nervous wins at the weekend, and it was another good showing from both Newtown and Montgomery, but Welshpool lost.

Guilsfield & Llandrinio have taken a sensational leap back to the top of Division Six with just two games remaining.

Starting the day third, the villagers stumbled their way to a nervous victory at St George’s III but then saw their main rivals drops points.

The bowlers did their bit on Saturday, dismissing the hosts for 137 with the evergreen Allan Williams (4-30) and swing bowler Duncan Todd (3-42) taking the lion’s share of the wickets.

Despite a decent start from Andy Clements (22) and Jordan Evans (27) it took a steady innings from Rupert Shingler (35no) to guide Guilsfield through to the points with just three wickets remaining.

Llanidloes have lost their lead at the top of Division Seven, but just a point separates them from leaders Lilleshall II with a game to go.

They did their bit on Saturday, beating Quayside thanks largely to an impressive 64 from opener Andrew Jones which laid the foundations to amass 176-7. The reply was never up with the pace required but the visitors frustrated Llani by holding out on 130-7.

Newtown are hitting some late season form and stunned Division One title chasers Frankton.

Tom Anderson, Dave Laird and Bryant Galpin took three wickets each as the second placed team in the league reached 176-9 from the allotted 45 overs.

Runs were then shared around the higher order as Newtown cruised home for the loss of just four wickets with three overs left in the bank. Laird top scored with 38.

In Division Two, Montgomery restricted St George’s II to 155 thanks to some fine bowling from Ieuan Griffiths (4-26) and Ed Bennett (3-43), and then saw Sam Williams smash an unbeaten 45 to steer them through to a four-wicket win.

Welshpool are 11 points adrift at the bottom of the league following defeat at Lilleshall who had set a target of 190. Matt McWhinnie (3-57) and Tom Bowen (3-37) did the damage but their batsmen couldn’t back them up as the reply ended on 122.