Batsmen hit form for Welshpool, Guilsfield

27/05/2025 @ 09:06

While it was as tough day in the office for Newtown, Montgomery and Llanidloes in the Shropshire Cricket Leagues on Saturday, Guilsfield & Llandrinio made it three wins in a row while Welshpool bolstered their Division Three campaign with a victory.

Sam Cadwallader struck a magnificent 96 not out to help his Welshpool side through to a healthy 250-4 against Whitchurch II in Shropshire Division Three.

Paul Chapman weighed in with 58 and Lance Parkes added 34 to set Pool on the path to victory, with their bowlers, led by Will Gannon (4-39) and Rob Anderson (3-23) seeing off the visitors’ response for just 143.

Another batsman in form was Ben Peel, who smashed a swashbuckling 160 for Guilsfield & Llandrinio to secure a 52-run victory at Wellington III, also in Division Three.

Peel hit a remarkable five sixes and 23 fours, taking just 109 balls to reach his mammoth total. He was well supported by Gary Meredith (36) and skipper Dave Lewis (25) as the villagers reached an unassailable 305-7 from our 40 overs. The response fell short with Lewis Todd picking up 3-58.

Newtown have slipped to 11^th in the Premier League after a pair of Bank Holiday weekend defeats. On Saturday, they lost by 45 runs to Wellington who posted a target of 252-8, but on Monday they were dismissed for just 62 by Whitchurch, with no player managing to register double figures.

Montgomery’s promotion challenge took a dent following a 114-run defeat at Division Two leaders Knockin & Kinnerley who batted first for 274-4.

While in Division Four, there were disappointing defeats for both Newtown II and Llanidloes.

Newtown II were dismissed for just 96 at leaders Condover while Llanidloes remain second after securing enough points in their five-wicket defeat at Frankton II.

The day started well for Llani, with Josh Hugo (54) and Rob Davies (80no) seeing them through to 208-7. But the hosts eased to victory in the 35^th over with five wickets down.

Suhair Kandanath (3-16) and Patrick Davies (3-20) combined for Welshpool II to cause Ellesmere II troubles and secure a one-wicket win in Division Six.

The pair whittled through the middle and lower order to restrict the hosts for 169-9.

After a strong start with Dan Chodecki (27), Davies (44) and Joe Cadwallader (34) batting well, it was a nail-biting finish with victory secured by the last pair with just an over to go.

Meanwhile, there was plenty of drama once again at the LHG Oval as Guilsfield & Llandrinio II chased down Ludlow III’s 169 all out to stay third in Division Seven.

The visitors recovered from a mid-order collapse led by Paul Arkell’s 4-35 to reach a respectable total, with Roger Russell (2-40) and the returning skipper Gary Griffiths (2-7) also bowling well.

Garry Lewis (31) got Guilsfield off to a good start in their reply, but it was a strong partnership between Jinil Thilakan (62) and Ruper Shingler (28no) that paved the way for a five-wicket victory. Matt Edwards chipped in at the end with an unbeaten 19.

Fixtures

Premier League

Bridgnorth v Newtown

Division Two

Montgomery v Column

Division Three

Welshpool v Ludlow II

Guilsfield & Llandrinio v Wem II

Division Four

Llanidloes v Newport II

Newtown II v Harpers

Division Six