Tuff stuff for Montgomery

Montgomery produced a spirited rearguard survival exercise to prevent Cound from winning their Shropshire Cricket League Division One fixture on Saturday.

Skipper Neil Tuffin lead by example with the ball and then returned to frustrate the Cound attack with a last-wicket stand that prevented the title chasers taking maximum points.

Welshpool’s Division One match with Alberbury was a victim of the weather.

Graham Trow top scored for Cound with 81 before a quick fire 55 off 25 bowls from Craig Heath carried them to 208-7 despite Tuffins efforts (4-32). Montgomery were never in the chase after losing early wickets, leaving it to Tuffin (6) and Jonathan Williams (12) to bat out a nervy last few overs to finish on 114-9.

Montgomery 2nds faired better, securing 10 points in a winning draw against Hinstock in Division Four. Batting first, Ian Bapty made 49 before both John Barker and Jake Wilkinson made 44 each. Veteran Stan Davies notched up 33 to help Montgomery through to 205-6 off their 35 overs.

But the hosts could not find the regular breakthroughs required and tried nine bowlers as Hinstock finished on 96-2.

In Division Five, Welshpool 2nds secured a losing draw at Overton-on-Dee who set a target of 178-2. Welshpool fielded six players Under 18 with three high school students joining the bowling attack. In reply, Liam Monk (37) and an unbeaten 38 from Rob Anderson took Welshpool to 145-5 in reply.