Centurions lead Guilsfield to victory

21/06/2023 @ 11:24

Guilsfield & Llandrinio moved up to third in the MSG Shropshire Division Four with a dramatic victory over Shifnal III who had posted an imposing 245-5, thanks largely to a masterful 140 not out from teenager Dax Hardman, at the LHG Oval.

But what a reply Guilsfield had up their sleeve. Openers David Williams (106) scored his second hundred of the season and new signing Andy Flann (104no) charged through the overs to muster an incredible first-wicket stand of over 200 runs.

The nine-wicket win shows that the village team are serious promotion contenders this season, and it was secured in the 38^th over.

Newtown have lost top spot in Division One following a disappointing day at home to Worfield, that saw them slip to third.

After deciding to bat first, Worfield made a decent 252-5 from their 45 overs, well out of reach for Newtown who fell short on 190-9, a losing draw that saw them pick up nine useful points.

JC Balt hit 51, and a later 65 from number eight Griff Davies ensured Newtown avoided an outright defeat.

Montgomery continued their excellent run in Division Three with a fine victory at Quatt II to close the gap on the top three.

After putting their hosts in to bat first, Monty restricted Quatt to 140-9, with Nathan Smith (3-17) leading the attack.

The reply was hanging in the balance too, before Smith hit an unbeaten 61 from mid-order to steady the ship and secure the four-wicket win.

Welshpool were dismissed for just 102 In Division Three chasing Broseley’s first innings total of 209-7 at Maesydre. Runs were hard to come by with Paul Chapman top scoring on 27.

Llanidloes claimed the Division Five derby honours to bolster their promotion bid, and dented neighbours Newtown II’sin the process.

Batting first in front of a large home crowd, Llanidloes amassed 182-6 with decent knocks for Eogan Jones (43no), Andrew Jones (36), Dave Moody (30) and Daniel Lewis (27).

Adrian Foulkes then span his way to 4-24 to enable Llanidloes to secure the spoils with Newtown restricted to 170-9, despite Adam Knight’s impressive 63.

There were Division Six defeats for Montgomery II and Welshpool II, with the latter only managing 135-8 at Lilleshall II. Nick Roberts (56) top scored. The hosts cruised to victory with seven wickets and plenty of overs in the tank.

Matthew Jones (66) top scored as Monty II posted a respectable 170, but Harcourt secured victory in a nail biter with just one wicket, and one ball, to spare. Matthew Ferneyhough took 4-40 to almost swing the game in Monty’s favour.

Guilsfield & Llandrinio II made it another clean sweep of wins for the club with victory over second-placed Quayside to open up their lead at the top.

Jinil Thilakan (47) and Garry Lewis (25) led the way to 178-9, but it was touch and go throughout the reply until in-form skipper Gary Griffiths (4-17) did the damage to restrict the hosts to 172-8.

Saturday fixtures

Division One

Bridgnorth II v Newtown

Division Three

Column v Welshpool

Montgomery v Ludlow II

Division Four

Shrewsbury III v Guilsfield & Llandrinio

Division Five

Cae Glas v Llanidloes

Newtown II v Calverhall

Division Six