Newtown, Monty, Welshpool step up title hunts

31/07/2024 @ 12:17

As cricket entered its second half of the Shropshire season, Newtown, Montgomery and Welshpool are set for title battles for the ages after another exhilarating day of action.

Newtown smashed Wroxeter & Uppington by nine wickets after Tom Anderson (3-16) and Reino de Klerk (3-11) led the demolition of the hosts for just 55 runs in Division One.

Luke Jones finished unbeaten on 33 to ease Newtown to a nine-wicket victory, and they now share top spot with Cound who they host this weekend.

Montgomery continue to enjoy their return to Division Two with full points on the road at Column, who were dismissed for 193 chasing Monty’s 269-7, to move up to third.

Andrew Barker - (pictured above) with 85, Ed Bennett (71) and Aaron Ruff-Cock (57) got Monty off to a fine start, before Nathan Smith (5-36) delivered a match-winning performance with the ball.

Welshpool made short work of Pontesbury to stay within a point of Division Three leaders Wheaton Aston in Division Three.

Skipper Matt McWhinnie took 4-10, with support from Robert Anderson (3-11) and Charlie Kinsey (3-4), as the visitors were bowled out for just 46, allowing Sam Cadwallader (23no) to lead Welshpool home to full points.

The Parfitts made a welcome return together for Guilsfield & Llandrinio who recorded a well-needed win over Newport II to lift out of the relegation zone.

Katie span her way to 3-39 as the visitors made 156 all out, before Rhodri struck an unbeaten 70 to hold the reply together for a four-wicket victory in the pen-ultimate over.

Like their first team, Newtown II are in the hunt for league honours after taking the lion’s share of points at home to Shifnal III in Division Four.

And it was Mike Bellamore’s brilliant 118 that led the way, ensuring Newtown made 238-9 declared. Cai Van Lill (4-26) and Evan Smout (3-51) combined to restrict the visitors to 157-9 from their allotted 40 overs.

Rob Davies (80) and Joe Pritchard (67) helped Llanidloes set a target of 257-7 at Wem, but it wasn’t enough as the hosts made it home in the 39^th over.

In Division Six, Welshpool II lost at Willey II, but Montgomery II saw off Condover II by chasing down their 186 all out. Skipper Tom Corfield top scored with 47.

Guilsfield & Llandrinio II’s strong run in Division Seven came to an end at title chasing Acton Reynald.

Richard Lewis top scored for the villagers with 41 as they set 153 all out, but it wasn’t enough as they slumped to a nine-wicket defeat.

PICTURES by Phil Blagg: Bottom picture shows Montgomery celebrating victory.

Fixtures

Division One

Newtown v Cound

Division Two

Montgomery v Shelton II

Division Three

Ludlow II v Guilsfield & Llandrinio

Willey v Welshpool

Division Four