Welshpool reprieve, Guilsfield go up

Football in Welshpool and Guilsfield may be in the doldrums at present, but their cricket teams were celebrating last night.

Welshpool won a dramatic reprieve to stay up in the FBC Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket League Division One, while Guilsfield were given the nod to go up as the third-placed team into Division Five with its star all-rounder named as the division’s player-of-the-season.

The news was confirmed through an official statement on the league’s web site which listed the full ups and downs from the 2010 season. The delay was caused due to the complex points system being double checked while a stock count was taken of league numbers following mergers and withdrawals.

The news has been particularly welcomed in Welshpool who are launching a long-term programme of cricket development in the town to attract more players, supporters and finance to the club.

“We are clearly very pleased to be retaining our place in the First Division next season,” said Dave Jones, the club’s Development Planning Manager. “However, we must regroup and build on last season to ensure we don't find ourselves at the wrong end of the table again. We would like to think the experiences of 2010 will enable us to be stronger in 2011 and build on the positive culture currently being developed at Welshpool Cricket Club.”

Meanwhile Guilsfield, who missed out on immediate promotion on the last day, enjoyed a double dose of good news with Dan Brown (right) also being named the division’s player-of-the-season.

“In the end I thought we deserved to be promoted,” said skipper Sam Griffiths. “It was a great effort by all the players. I thought we were the best team in the division. I’m still disappointed that we didn’t win the league to be honest.

“Hopefully we will do well next year and I will be looking to win the league as I do every season, as I believe that on our day we are a match for anyone.

“Also, I would like to congratulate Dan on behalf of the club on being named the division’s player of the season, thoroughly deserved.”

The FBC Manby Bowdler Shropshire Cricket League has resolved its promotion and relegation issues following the end of the season.

Worfield, winners of Division 1, will be leaving the League to join the Marston's Shropshire Premier League with Trysull returning to the Shropshire League following their relegation, while new teams Alberbury 3rds and Corvedale 3rds will be joining the League in Division 7. The full list of promotions and relegations is as follows -

Division 1 - Worfield 1 promoted, Ellesmere I relegated.

Division 2 - Pontesbury I, Knockin & Kinnerley I promoted, Whittington I relegated Worfield II also leave Div 2 to join the SPL Reserve Division.

Division 3 - Frankton II, Iscoyd & Fenns Bank, Acton Reynald I promoted, Oswestry III & Church Aston relegated. Trysull also rejoin the Shropshire Cricket League in Division 3 as a singleton side.

Division 4 - Corvedale, Chelmarsh & Pontesbury II promoted, Newport III relegated.

Division 5 - Wroxeter II, Wellington IV promoted, Tibberton II relegated.

Division 6 - Condover II, Frankton III, Guilsfield promoted, Willey II relegated.

Division 7 - Much Wenlock III, Bishops Castle II, Prees promoted. Alberbury III & Corvedale II joining Division 7 as new teams.