Worfield setting the early pace

Pre-season favourites Worfield are the early pace-setters in the FBC Manby Bowdler League after a comprehensive nine wicket win at home to Lilleshall.

The visitors were invited to bat first and were in trouble straight away; Manny Singh blew away the top order to finish with 4-26, and when Nick Plain came on to bowl he took a wicket with his first ball.

Four others followed, and he returned the excellent figures of 5-15. At 34-7, Lilleshall were in danger of being seriously embarrassed, but No 9 Steve Bate brought some respectability with 25 valuable runs.

Nevertheless a total of 72 was never going to be enough, and Worfield cruised home for the loss of a single wicket. Simon Aucott was 31 not out and Matt Turner 20 not out.

The one consolation for Lilleshall was their victory in the reverse fixture between the two second teams in Division Two by 108 runs; Will Askin featured strongly, scoring 63 and taking 7-25.

A much-improved Trysull & Seisdon moved into second place after surprising Frankton by five wickets at Hardwick Park.

Frankton were inserted, and had no answer to Aussie paceman, Andrew Newman. He took 6-26, while leg spinner Mattie Willder took the important wicket of top-scorer Nalaka de Silva (28), and two tail enders to finish with 3-16.

From a perilous position of 71-8, Frankton's total was made competitive as 40 runs were added for the last two wickets by virtue of skipper Jordan Parry's unbeaten 21, and stout resistance by youngsters Sam Phillips and Sam Owen.

Shaun Davis (3-38) and Rich Parry Jones (2-33) tore into the visitors batting, and at 60-5 the game was wide open. However, Trysull weathered the storm, and a quickfire 42 not out from Chris Fullwood saw his team home without further loss.

Llanidloes also continued their good start with an 18-6 winning draw at Market Drayton. They were asked to bat first, and recorded a useful 195-8 in 45 overs.

Adrian Foulkes led the way with 92, being given good support by Marc Hughes (36) and Thomas Goodman (35).

The Jones family did most to restrict Drayton's reply – father Rob took 3-13, and son Simon 2-43, as Drayton closed on 124-8.

Promoted Ellesmere produced the biggest surprise, beating Wroxeter by 70 runs.

Ellesmere's impressive 45 over total of 226-7 was built around a fine 124 from Curtis Fourie. Nick Bevan was the pick of the bowlers with 4-60.

Wroxeter's reply was in deep trouble at 30-5, but a century stand between debutant Jeremy Wood (54) and Jamie Carter (46) brought the innings around.

However, both batsmen were dismissed within a few balls of each other, and the end came in the 38th over, with the Wroxeter on 156. Richard Edwards took 4-35.

Cound also won batting first, at home to Alberbury. Their total of 212-9 owed much to 84 from a refreshed Graham Trow. Dave Langton and Joe Yapp each scored 24, and there were two wickets apiece for Andy Holloway and Angus Little.

The Alberbury reply was built around a fourth wicket stand between Mark Jones (45) and Rob Moolman (24). But Adam Williams claimed both wickets to finish with 4-42; Kevin Hamer took 3-32 and Joe Yapp 2-14, as Alberbury were bowled out for 121.

Montgomerie were the only team in the division to elect to bat first, and it paid dividends as their 40 over total of 140-8 proved to be plenty. Edward Davies led the way with 59 not out. The outstanding bowler was Pete Atkinson, 5-32.

Pontesbury's reply stuttered to 17-4, and later to 68-8. Darrell Corfield stood firm however, and in the end saved the day with 35 not out, as his team closed on 99-9. Rob Kinsey took 4-16 from 12 overs.