Wins for Newtown, Monty and Guilsfield

08/07/2025 @ 11:27

Nathan Smith took a remarkable 7-51 as Newtown’s inconsistent adventure in the Shropshire Premier League produced a timely victory on Saturday.

Smith produced his devastating spell just as hosts Whitchurch appeared to be cruising towards Newtown’s first innings total of 206 all out.

David Laird (60) and Griff Davies (33) helped Newtown set a target of 206, which didn’t seem to be enough until Smith came on first change to help dismiss the hosts for just 130.

Meanwhile, opener Rob Bennett hit a match-winning 85 not out as Montgomery returned from Frankwell with the spoils in Division Two.

The Shrewsbury-based side made 210-9 batting first, with Alex Bromley (3-31) and Aaron Ruff-Cock (3-58) inflicting the most damage.

But Bennett took hold of the reply with support from Ruff-Cock (46no) and Sam Williams (34) to secure victory and move up to fifth.

In Division Three, Guilsfield & Llandrinio returned to form with a welcome win at Ludlow II who had posted 195-5. Jack Windsor took 2-30.

But the villagers moved up to sixth with openers Andy Flann (53) and David Williams (30) posting a 91-run partnership before a composed 56 not out from Adam Knight held the innings together to secure the four-wicket win in the 34^th over.

It was last-ball heartbreak for Welshpool who were beaten at the death by Willey.

Lance Parkes (66) got the day off to a good start for Pool who posted 203 all out from their 40 overs. But Willey timed their victory to perfection on the last ball of the day with two wickets to spare. Dan Cadwallader (3-43) and Tom Bowen (3-31) took six of the eight Willey wickets.

There were disappointing defeats for Newtown II and Llanidloes in Division Four, with the former slipping up at home to fellow promotion chasers Shifnal III.

Riley Bellamore (87no) and skipper Callum Foulkes (72) batted well as Newtown set a big target of 248-9. But the Shropshire side chased hard and won in the 38^th over with two wickets to spare.

Rob Davies (68) and Josh Hugo (54) helped Llanidloes set a target of 199-8 at leaders Condover, who wasted no time in securing a seven-wicket victory in the 26^th over.

Welshpool II maintained their Division Six promotion push by bowling St George’s III out for just 133, with Will Gannon taking 4-40. Gannon then made 29, with Matt Sherwood also hitting 29, to see Welshpool home in the 36^th over with six wickets down.

Young Ben Turner top scored with 40, but it wasn’t enough as Montgomery II lost by six wickets to Ellesmere II.

Jac Yewdall added 34 as Monty made 165 all out, but Ellesmere cruised to a six-wicket win in the 38^th over.

Guilsfield & Llandrinio II leapfrogged Condover II into second in Division Seven following a five-wicket win at the LHG Oval.

Emerging all-rounder, George Edwards, set the scene with 4-41 as the villagers restricted Condover to 216-6 on a fine batting track.

It was a disciplined run chase, led by Jinil Thilakan (69no), Gary Griffiths (34) and Rich Lewis (27no) that got saw them home with six overs to spare.

There were wins for leaders Newtown III and Llanidloes II in Sunday Division Three with the former moving out of sight from the chasing pack following their ninth win from nine matches this season.

Russell Powell took 3-16 as Newtown bowled Oswestry IV out for just 121, and then he hit 59 to secure a three-wicket win.

Matt Savage hit an unbeaten 60 as Llanidloes II picked up an 18-run victory at home to St Georges V. Llani set 187-6 from their 40 overs, out of reach for the visitors who faced a strong host bowling attack.

Fixtures

Premier League

Sentinel v Newtown

Division Two

Montgomery v Alberbury

Division Three

Welshpool v Church Aston

Whitchurch II v Guilsfield & Llandrinio

Division Four

Llanidloes v Bomere Heath II

Newtown II v Iscoyd & Fenns Bank

Division Six