FBC Manby Bowdler Shropshire Division One
Welshpool 174 for 8 drew at
Pontesbury 151 for 8
WELSHPOOL were content with a draw at first division newboys Pontesbury.
Pool skipper Ernie Birch’s decision to open the batting was soon justified as his side totted up the runs.
Openers Joe Birch (44) and Dave Jones (14) pushed Pool onto 68 when Jones was caught off Nick James, who completed his 2-21 with the dismissal of Birch.
A decent middle order contribution featured Dale Evans (17), Rob Birch (20) and Rupert Shingler (13) only for all to be snared LBW by Peter Atkinson (3-52) and Tim Barber (3-37).
An unbeaten 16 from tailender Nick Davies alongside Ernie Birch (9no) saw Pool to a decent 174-8 to defend.
Pontesbury lost two cheap wickets in the first four overs of their reply, but rallied to frustrate the Pool attack.
Sam Birch (3-39) limited the top order with brother Rob Birch (1-40) taking a wicket to leave Pontesbury on 56-4.
The wobble was steadied by Matthew Hartshorn (27) and Darrell Corfield in a splendid 22 run partnership for the fifth wicket.
The coveted wicket of Hartshorn fell when caught by Ernie Birch off Rob Anderson, who proceeded to claim tailenders Andy (6) and Howard Robinson (20) to end with an impressive 3-30.
Top scorer Corfield was trapped LBW for 41 by Ernie Birch (1-17) to end any lingering hopes of victory, as Pontesbury closed on 151-8.