Monty up to fourth

Newtown, Llanidloes and Montgomery were all in form as the Shropshire League heads towards the midway stage, but it was a disappointing day for title chasing Guilsfield & Llandrinio and Welshpool.

Newtown bolstered their mid-table Division One spot with a well-earned victory over Knockin & Kinnerley.

After being put in to bat, the Newtown mid-order all chipped in with Matt Knight (32), Sam Cooke (25), Tom Anderson (22) and Sam Morris (21) contributing to the host’s 175-8.

The attack then took command, restricting Knockin’s run rate from the off and eventually bowling them out for 112 with Bryant Galpin (3-28), John Anthony (2-9) and Joe Monk (2-11) doing most of the damage.

Montgomery moved up to fourth in Division Two following a 25-run victory over struggling Albrighton on Saturday.

Montgomery batted first and got off to the worst possible start with both openers – Tom Corfield and Andrew Barker – out for ducks, but bounced back to score 158.

Skipper Sam Williams scored 28 while Tim Davies made 27. There were also runs for Aaron Ruff-Cock (26), Ieuan Griffiths (19) and Charlie Clinton (17).

In reply, Montgomery dismissed the visitors for 133 with Alex Bromley (3-27) and Aaron Ruff-Cock (3-13) leading the bowling charge.

Welshpool’s run struggle was evident as they could only post 117-7 for Shifnal III to chase, despite the efforts of Patrick Wilding (36no) and skipper Russell Cadwallader (28). The visitors made it home with five wickets to spare.

In Division Five, Newtown II completed an impressive run chase at basement side Knockin & Kinnerley II.

Matt Humphreys took 3-27 as Newtown toiled hard in the sun to restrict their hosts to 176-5, before Ian Hancocks (41), Richard Smout (39) and Humphreys (36no) steered Newtown to a five-wicket victory.

Montgomery II fell five wickets short against Beacon II. The opening pair of Matthew Jones (36) and Stan Davies (30) got Montgomery off to a positive start but a batting collapse saw the visitors all out for 134 with two overs to spare.

Beacon knocked off the winning runs in the 36th over for the loss of just five batsmen as Rob Yewdall took 2-8 off eight overs.

Guilsfield & Llandrinio’s Division Six title chase was hit by a surprise defeat at Bomere Heath II.

Duncan Todd (3-23) and Andy Pugh (3-37) played their parts as Guilsfield bowled well, but six dropped catches came back to haunt them as Bomere posted 162-8.

Todd continued his fine all-round form with 32 and Gary Lewis (32) and Rupert Shingler (21) also chipped in but wickets fell cheaply with Guilsfield finishing well short on 138.

Russell Swallow took 5-22 and Adrian Foulkes claimed 4-14 as Llanidloes maintained their perfect record at the top of Division Seven.

The pair combined to dismiss Shifnal IV for just 74, with openers William Denham (36) and Andrew Jones (24) securing the eight-wicket win.

Dave Whitehouse hit 64, but couldn’t prevent Welshpool II from another defeat in Division Eight.

Welshpool II posted a decent score of 161-4, but visitors Allscott Heath III batted well to win with four wickets to spare.