Tight at the top as local pair battle for title

22/07/2026 @ 12:30

There’s a strong Montgomeryshire flavour to the Shropshire Cricket Division four title battle with Llanidloes and Newtown II sitting on the same points at the top.

Llanidloes drew level with their neighbours following a crushing victory at Bridgnorth II, while Newtown II slipped up at home to Allscott Heath II.

Harry Turner (65), Will Denham (48) and Adrian Foulkes (39) were all among the runs as Llanidloes posted 238-8 at Bridgnorth II, who were dismissed for just 81 in reply. Eogan Jones (4-29) and James Denham (3-14) did the damage.

Newtown II suffered six ducks in their disappointing defeat at home to Allscott Heath II, setting just 123 all out despite Mike Bellamore (53) and Danny Foulkes (34) enjoying time at the crease. The bowlers did their best to rescue the situation, but the visitors made it home with two wickets to spare. Skipper Jonathan Davies took 4-16.

Guilsfield & Llandrinio opened up some breathing space at the top of Division Three with a emphatic nine-wicket win at Column thanks to the big hitting of all-rounder Twinkle Jose.

He smashed an unbeaten 119 and combined with Dave Williams (32no) for a 166-run second wicket partnership that cruised past their 164 target in the 17^th over.

Jose had earlier taken 3-46 and the in-form Sajeev Mable claimed 4-30 to lay the foundations for a memorable win.

Charlie Kinsey was unbeaten on 72 as Welshpool remained in Division Three title contention with an impressive 113-run victory over Ludlow II. Pool set 221-9, well out of reach after Matt McWhinnie (5-48) and Dan Cadwallader (4-22) ripped through the Ludlow batting.

It wa s aday to forget for Welshpool II who were dismissed for just 38 at rampant Bishop’s Castle in Division Five.

Montgomery II eased their Division Six relegation worries with a nine-wicket win over Much Wenlock after Andrew Barker hit an unbeaten 101. Backed by skipper Tom Corfield (58), Monty breezed past their target of 188-6 in the 30^thover.

Guilsfield & Llandrinio II continued their upturn in form after veteran all-rounder Steve Griffiths scored his club high 71 and combined with Ruper Shingler (49) for an opening wicket partnership of 106 as they set 276-6 for Column II to chase.

Paul Arkel (3-30) and a pair of wickets each for the returning Allan Williams and George Edwards took the villagers to the brink of a full victory, but Column II held out on 223-8 for a share of the spoils.

Up in the Premier Division, Newtown’s struggles continued with a defeat at Allscott Heath, finishing on 162 chasing their hosts 298-5 to remain bottom.

It was a similar story in Division One, where Montgomery fell to a 191-run Division One defeat at Bomere Heath who had posted 293-8 declared.

On Sunday, Barry Bellis top scored with 87 as Newtown III set a target of 265-6 for Shifnal IV to chase. But Anu Kunjumon took 3-19 as Shifnal ended on 105 all out.

There was an easy win too for Llanidloes II in Division Four after Adam Pym top scored with 71 on their way to 260-7 at Allscott Heath IV who were dismissed for just 95.

Fixtures

Premier League

Newtown v Shelton

Division One

Newport v Montgomery

Division Three

Wem II v Welshpool

Guilsfield & Llandrinio v Wellington III

Division Four

Llanidloes v Cound II

Iscoyd & Fenns Bank v Newtown II

Division Five