Guilsfield remain top of Division Three as Montgomery woes continue

Guilsfield maintained top spot in Division Three after edging to victory by a single wicket against Newport in the Shropshire County Cricket League.

Waseem Aftab struck 71 for Newport but the remainder of the batters were unable to reach the same heights.

Sajeev Mable and Twinkle Jose took four and three wickets respectively to help bowl Newport out for 126.

Andrew Flann (27) and Dave Williams (22) were the standouts for Guilsfield in a low-scoring affair, but they finally achieved a match-winning 130/9 inside the 43rd over.

Montgomery remain rock bottom of Division One after losing by 143 runs at home to Shifnal.

An undefeated 133 from John Smith powered Shifnal into the driving seat and he was assisted by Jonty Mountford (51 not out), Ben Aston (29) and Jack Shields (27).

Shifnal eventually signed off with a commanding 300 and Montgomery eventually fell significantly short.

Rob Bennett, Aaron Ruff-Cock and Andrew Barker all amassed 20 runs apiece, but Montgomery were bowled out for 147 inside the 37th over.

Elsewhere, Welshpool suffered back-to-back defeats after losing by 18 runs at Condover in Division Three.

Charlie Rogers was in excellent form and racked up an undefeated 127 to put Condover into pole position.

Ben Brooks (33) and Matthew Brooks (30 not out) also kept the run count ticking over to lead Condover to 238/4.

Charlie Kinsey (44), Daniel Cadwallader (33) and Lance Parkes (32) attempted to lead the comeback charge, but Welshpool were bowled out for 220.

Newtown seconds remain top of Division Four, although they could only claim a winning draw at Llanidloes.

Mike Bellamore struck an impressive century alongside Evan Smout’s 46 to lead Newtown on to 223/8.

Will Denham (45), Rob Davies (41 not out) and Rhys Jones (35) guided Llanidloes to 205, as Newtown only managed to take six wickets.

In Division Five, Welshpool seconds sunk further down the table after losing by eight wickets at home to Pontesbury.

Patrick Davies high-scored for Welshpool with 29 before they were bowled out for 94.

Matthew Walker (38 not out) and Daniel Walker (34) then helped Pontesbury to 95/2 after just 19 overs.

Montgomery seconds lost by two wickets at Forton seconds in Division Six after they were bowled out for 157.

Ian Roberts high-scored for Forton with 39 as they took victory on 160/8 inside the 38th over.

Guilsfield are still in the relegation zone despite winning by 102 runs at Ecton Reynald thanks in large part to Jinil Thilakan (84) and Richard Lewis (60 not out).