Honours even in big local derby thriller

31/08/2023 @ 12:41

It was a local derby to remember as Montgomery and Welshpool shared the spoils in a MSG Shropshire Division Three thriller.

After being put into bat, Lance Parkes (67) and Nick Davies (66) saw Welshpool through to a decent total of 196-6, with Nathan Smith (3-53) the main Monty wicket-taker.

It was a dramatic run chase, with Andrew Baker (80) and Shaun Randall (64) seemingly setting Monty on course to victory, but Dan Cadwallader (4-37) and Chris Proctor (3-39) fought back, and restricted Monty to 194-9 from their 40 overs, meaning the points were split with 14 for Welshpool and 12 to Montgomery.

Newtown’s bid for the Division One title was crushed following a heavy home defeat to fellow chasers Frankton.

It was a good toss to win, and Newtown were put in to bat with only John Anthony (32) managing any sort of resistance as the hosts were dismissed for just 70. The scorecard included five ducks.

Frankton didn’t have any problems reaching victory in the 19^th over to leave Newtown third with three games to play.

Guilsfield & Llandrinio saw their fading Division Four title hopes all but ended with at Harpers in a game reduced to 25 overs due to rain.

The Guils were dismissed for 110 in their final over, and it could have been worse if it wasn’t for some strong tail-end batting from Steve Griffiths (21) and Garry Foster (18no).

The bowlers played their part, and made a game of it, with Foster returning 3-16, but Harpers made it home with four wickets and three overs to spare.

Mike Bellamore smashed a brilliant unbeaten 114 to put Newtown II into the Division Five promotion driving seat, after main rivals Llanidloes slipped up at Iscoyd & Fenns Bank ahead of a clash between the two this weekend.

Bellamore helped Newtown through to 200-4, well out of reach for hosts Cae Glas who were dismissed for just 48 with three wickets apiece for Jonathon Davies, Riley Bellamore and Cai Van Lill.

The win saw them pull clearer in second after third-placed Llani were held to a draw at Iscoyd.

Daniel Lewis (63no) and Adrian Foulkes (50) hit unbeaten half centuries as Llani posted a decent first innings of 178-3 from 35 overs.

But their hosts held out on 158-5 to frustrate them, despite 3-40 for Will Denham.

Montgomery II came up short in their Division Six run chase at Allscott Heath II who set a target of 220-6.

In response, Tom Corfield (48), Matt Jones (40) and Aaron Ruff-Cock (30) did their best, but the team fell well short on 154-6.

Welshpool II sit with Monty II in mid-table after losing at home to Harcourt.

Batting first, Pool could only manage 122-7 from their 40 with skipper Dale Evans (31) top scoring, allowing their visitors to secure victory in the 36^th over for the loss of eight wickets. Neil Pryce (3-13) had a good day with the ball.

Guilsfield & Llandrinio II took a huge step towards the Division Eight title after dismissing rivals Cae Glas II for 146 at the LHG Oval.

Skipper Gary Griffiths (4-12) and Ivor Pearsall (3-53) were the chief destroyers, before a solid 37 not out from Matt Edwards saw them home in the 30^th over for the loss of five wickets to put them within touching distance of the title.

PICTURES by Phil Blagg Photography: Shaun Randall (top) on his way to 64 for Montgomery, and Welshpool’s Paul Chapman playing his part with the bat.

Saturday fixtures

Division One

Worfield II v Newtown

Division Three

Montgomery v Quatt

Broseley v Welshpool

Division Four

Shifnal II v Guilsfield & Llandrinio

Division Five

Newtown II v Llanidloes

Division Six

Harcourt v Montgomery II