Alberbury 171 for 9 beat
Welshpool 170 for 6 by 1 wicket
JAMES Wynne starred as Alberbury edged a thrilling one wicket win, at local rivals Welshpool.
Wynne made two vital catches to help restrict Welshpool to 170-6, before leading Alberbury’s challenge in reply with an unbeaten 42 for victory.
Wynne struck the winning run off the final ball of the 40 overs, as Alberbury narrowly claimed the victory to revive their promotion push; after their shock six wicket defeat at Llanidloes in their last outing.
Welshpool lost early wickets and stood at 26-3 as Joe Birch (6) was caught by Wynne off Neil Savage, while Paul Chapman and Phil Lewis departed for ducks, both off the bowling of James Harrap (2-22.)
Welshpool rallied and a recovery led by Dave Jones (54) and Rob Birch (68no) put Welshpool in a strong position.
Jones was snared LBW by Ed Kneale (1-20), to unite brothers Rob and Sam Birch, with the latter making a quickfire 19 to help his side to 170.
Alberbury’s innings echoed Welshpool’s and struggled to 55 for the loss of three wickets.
Mike Crawshaw was caught for a duck by Ernie Birch, off son Rob, who had a big impact on the bowling. Birch accounted for Charlie Bourne, caught for 10 by Paul Chapman, before he gleefully caught Andy Wynne for 22 off Rupert Shingler (1-12.)
An Alberbury fightback was led by Mark Jones who, in reaching 57, helped put Alberbury in a position to win the game.
However, the return of Sam and Rob Birch into the attack led to wickets falling, with Alberbury reduced to159-9 with three overs to go.
Jones was caught for 57 by Rob Birch off Chris Owen (1-25), before Birch bowled Ben Davies for six and ran out Neil Savage for four to end on 3-65. Brother Sam also claimed a second wicket to end on 2-36 with Myles Thomas caught for 10 by Chapman.
However middle order batsman James Wynne (42no) had other ideas and was joined in a last wicket stand by James Harrop (3no) to see the village side to 171-9 and victory, with just one ball remaining.