Noon starts and no teas: 2021 cricket set to start

After what feels like a never-ending winter, Montgomeryshire cricket clubs are set to start their 2021 seasons tomorrow, but the lingering threat of Covid-19 is still making its mark.

A raft of safety measure are in place and due to the Welsh Government still not allowing team sports to be played until next week, most of our local clubs are heading across the border for their Shropshire League openers.

Games will start earlier at 12 noon and there will no longer be ‘teas’ provided, with teams having a quicker turnaround at the half way stage instead. 

Newtown were due to be entertaining Wellington II tomorrow in Division One, but instead they have re-arranged that fixture to Bank Holiday Monday, May 3.

So it will be down to Welshpool, Montgomery and Guilsfield to try and bring back wins to this side of the border.

Andrew Barker will skipper Montgomery in Division Two as they head to Shifnal III, and has said that he hopes that more of the club’s youth players will push for first team places this season. The second string, captained by Thomas Corfield, head to Harcourt in Division Six.

Russell Cadwallader will skipper the Welshpool side heading to Harpers in Division Three, while Dave Lewis will once again take charge of Guilsfield’s Division Five campaign having welcomed the experienced all-rounder Steve Griffiths from Shelton over the winter. They travel to Beacon II for their opener.

Llanidloes travel to Pontesbury II in Division Six with skipper Andrew Jones hoping for a winning start as The Daffs bid to continue to climb up the lower leagues.