Newtown lose mid table battle

Newtown slumped to a dramatic four-run defeat in an exciting Division One mid-table tussle with Lilleshall in the Shropshire League.

Newtown looked to be in the driving seat at tea with the bowlers restricting the visitors to just 143-8 off their 50 overs. But wickets fell cheaply in reply with only 43 from opener Craig Davies and 26 from David Anthony impressing as the hosts ended on 139 all out.

Montgomery maintained their Division Two form with a 20-point seven wicket win over Church Stretton after bowling them out for 108 with wickets shared around the six-man attack.

Opener Tim Davies then led the reply with an unbeaten 54 and Andrew Barker chipped in 22 as Monty patiently cruised home in the 43^rd over.

A steady 70 from opener Paul Chapman saw Welshpool frustrate top of the table Condover, also in Division Two. Chapman led the reply after the hosts posted 246-7 and his efforts ensured Pool held out on 151-7 for a point.

There is no stopping Guilsfield in Division Four who posted back-to-back victories for the first time this season. Skipper Sam Griffiths led the bowling attack with 4-29 as the villagers reduced Coton Hall to 92 all out before Dan Brown followed up three wickets of his own with a swashbuckling unbeaten 47 for the six-wicket win.

Leaders Montgomery II were stunned in Reserve Division Three after losing to struggling St Georges II in a high scoring game.

Keith Griffiths (58no), Tom Corfield (52) and Brian Corfield (46) helped Monty set a strong target of 194-4 but their bowlers couldn’t deliver as the hosts’ Wayne Peel struck a century to see them through to victory for the loss of four wickets.

In the same division, Newtown fell to a three-wicket defeat at Broseley II despite almost pulling off an unlikely win. The hosts were restricted to 95-7 but Newtown’s reply ended two runs short.