Disappointing day for local clubs

It was a largely disappointing day for the local senior cricket clubs in the Shropshire League with only Llanidloes winning, but there was better news for the second strings.

Newtown collapsed to a heavy eight-wicket defeat after posting just 57 in their Shropshire Division One match at Beacon.

Only two batsmen crawled into double figures with the hosts cruising to victory in the 18^th over.

Welshpool’s Division Two match at home to Wellington was abandoned midway through due to rain, but Montgomery were beaten at Wroxeter after setting a decent target of 171-7.

Aaron Ruff-cock led the way with 45 and there were decent knocks too for Andrew Barker (33) and Charles Clinton (30), but it wasn’t enough with the hosts easing their way home for the loss of just four wickets in the 38^th over.

The club’s second string also suffered defeat in Division Five, but there was better news for Newtown II who notched up a 30-run win over Beacon II.

Newtown posted 138-6 from their 40, before Paul Hawthorn and Ricky Davies took three wickets apiece to reduce the visitors to 108 all out.

It was another disappointing day for Guilsfield & Llandrinio who suffered a second successive Division Six defeat. Shrewsbury III batted well for their 248-4, but a big run chase seemed on when the mid-order of skipper Dave Lewis (55), Jordan Evans (46), Dave Williams (34) and Andy Pugh (31) kept them in touch before the reply was halted on 210.

Llanidloes continue to fly the Montgomeryshire flag high in Division Seven with another win to remain unbeaten.

Opponents Coton Hall were restricted to 138 with all-rounder Adrian Foulkes claiming 4-23, before the batsmen shared the runs around on their way to a six-wicket win.

Harry Bowen took 3-9 to give Welshpool II an unlikely win at Beacon III in Division Eight. Welshpool II could only manage 98, batting first, but then bowled superbly to clinch victory by just two runs.