Welshpool take derby honours

01/07/2025 @ 05:28

The big match of the day in the Shropshire Cricket League saw Welshpool fend off the challenge at Guilsfield & Llandrinio to keep the pressure on the promotion chasers in Shropshire Division Three.

The hosts came out the traps fast with early wickets for Nasir Uddin (2-50) and Allan Williams (1-20) putting Pool under early pressure.

But a brilliant unbeaten 87 from opener Sam Cadwallader, and excellent knocks from Chris Proctor (60) and Russell Cadwallader (49no) pushed the visitors to 263-8.

With a mountain to climb, Gary Meredith (51), Adam Knight (53) and Matt Knight (57no) batted well to give Guilsfield a chance, but Pool tightened up the bowling to bag a well-earned 47-run victory with the villagers ending on 216-6.

Meanwhile in the Premier League, Newtown were comprehensively beaten by 186 runs at home by St George’s as their batting collapsed chasing 269-3. The response only last 27.2 overs and finished on 83 all out.

Montgomery’s 146-9 wasn’t quite enough at a Wheaton Aston side heading up the Division Two table. Gaz Bromley top scored with 29.

But with plenty in the wicket for the bowlers, Ed Bennett (4-36) and Alex Bromley (3-25) made a fight of it for Monty with the winning margin just a solitary wicket.

Newtown II maintained their Division Four promotion charge with a comfortable 10-wicket win at Cound II after bowling them out for just 102. Riley Bellamore (4-10) and Finley Bellamore (4-11) did the damage.

Openers Callum Foulkes (60no) and Evan Smout (23no) steered Newtown through to victory.

Also, in Division Four, Llanidloes set 214-5 for hosts Shifnal III to chase, but it wasn’t enough. Adrian Foulkes (49no) and Rob Davies (31) were two of several batters to contribute.

But the hosts also enjoyed a nice batting track by securing victory in the final over with five wickets to spare.

There were victories for both Montgomery II and Welshpool II in Division Five.

Monty chased down Willey II’s 193-6 with Craig Pearce (49no), Gethin Serjeant (40) and Rob Yewdall (40) all amongst the runs.

Welshpool II kept their promotion hunt going with a home victory over Alberbury II.

Jake Evans (58) and Joe Cadwallader (43) set Welshpool on their way to 228-6, with the visitors finishing well short on 178 all out. Six Pool bowlers took wickets.

Promotion chasing Guilsfield & Llandrinio II lost for the second week running to Albrighton II, this time on the last ball.

In-form Alex Parry smashed 68 and youngster Matt White made a career high 45 as the villagers set a target of 229 all out.

But Albrighton hit the last ball of the innings to the boundary for victory. Martin Owen (3-31) made a fine bowling return for the seconds.

Unbeaten Newtown III’s march towards the Sunday Division Three title continues with a 10-wicket win at Knockin & Kinnerley IV. Lucas Lane (3-25) was the pick of the bowlers as Newtown dismissed their visitors for just 97. Lane then finished unbeaten on 30 to support fellow opener Russell Powell (58no) and ease Newtown home with no wickets lost.

Llanidloes II chased down Frankton III’s 191-9 with Lewis Swallow (4-21) producing excellent figures.

Callum Jones (87no) then took centre stage to see Llani home.

PICTURE (by Phil Blagg): The Mid Wales select team that took on the MCC at Montgomery Cricket Club on Sunday.

Fixtures

Premier League

Whitchurch v Newtown

Division Two

Frankwell v Montgomery

Division Three

Welshpool v Willey

Ludlow III v Guilsfield & Llandrinio

Division Four