Newtown pace bowler Tom Anderson was just a wicket away from completing one of sport’s most incredible achievements on what was a day of remarkable performances across the Shropshire cricket leagues.
Anderson took a jaw-dropping 9-18 as his Newtown side bowled Ellesmere out for 63, turbo-charging their Division One title bid.
Earlier, Tom Foulkes (50) and Griff Davies (37) provided some mid-order steel as Newtown posted 211 all out, allowing Anderson to take centre stage and demolish Ellesmere with his astonishing spell.
Rob Bennet (88) and Shaun Randall (48) propelled Montgomery to 268-8 in their Division Two victory at Albrighton who were out for 187, with Ieuan Griffiths taking 4-27.
Welshpool edged a thrilling local derby at Guilsfield & Llandrinio in Division Three in a match that went right to the final couple of balls.
A captain’s 59 from Matt McWhinnie and a fine 49 from Russell Cadwallader lifted the title chasers through to 222 all out, with three wickets apiece for Luke Roberts and Dave Jones keeping Guilsfield in touch.
Roberts (65) then partnered with Andy Flann (55) to mount a strong bid for victory that carried on to the final over with two big sixes from skipper Dave Lewis leaving nine to win off the last two balls. But Joe Cadwallader held his nerve by taking the captain’s wicket and securing a vital win for Pool.
Newtown II’s bid for promotion from Division Four remains on track following a four-wicket win at Priorslee, who elected to bat and posted 158 all out. Evan Smout (3-26) and Finley Bellamore (3-18) were the main wicket takers for Newtown, before Callum Foulkes (68) led the charge for victory in the 30th over.
But there was Division Four disappointment for Llanidloes who suffered a nine-wicket defeat at Condover after being dismissed for just 112 batting first. Most of those runs came from Andrew Jones (65), with six Llani ducks recorded.
Matthew Jones struck 55 as Montgomery II cemented their Division Six mid-table spot with an exciting eight-run win at home to Harcourt.
Defending 151-5 thanks to Jones’s efforts, Monty held on to dismiss their visitors for 143 in the 39th over.
Despite 58 runs from captain Dale Evans, Welshpool II slumped to a six-wicket defeat at home to Knockin & Kinnerley II.
Pool set 169-4 for their visitors to go after, but it wasn’t enough with defeat coming with an over to spare.
A magnificent 142 from Matt Edwards laid the foundations for Guilsfield & Llandrinio II to cruise to a comfortable victory at Quatt III.
His incredible knock was well-needed as the villagers struggled at times to reach their eventual target of 221 all out.
But the bowlers played their part, sharing the wickets around to restrict the hosts to 169-9.
Fixtures
Division One
Newtown v Lilleshall
Division Two
Frankwell v Montgomery
Division Three
Guilsfield & Llandrinio v Oswestry II
Whitchurch II v Welshpool
Division Four
Harpers v Llanidloes
Wem II v Newtown II
Division Five
Division Six
Welshpool II v Condover II
Montgomery II v Cae Glas
Division Seven
Quayside v Guilsfield & Llandrinio II