Welshpool 176 all out beat Albrighton 80 all out by 96 runs

JOE Monk left Albrighton without a prayer as Welshpool completed a 96 run victory to boost their bid to secure first division safety.

Pool lost opener Paul Chapman cheaply, bowled by Mike Woodhouse (1-26) for five only for Nick Davies and Joe Monk to form a 57 run second wicket stand.

Both fell in quick succession with Davies (31) and Monk (21) soon joined in the pavilion by Russell Cadwallader (13) to complete Adam Shimmons’ 3-23.

James Breese steadied the ship and added 17 to the scoreboard before being falling to Lee Barnard with Pool on 126-6.

Will Metcalfe and Robert Rudge formed a 46 run seventh wicket stand to guide Pool to 172 when Metcalfe was caught by Sam Wood off Barnard for 26.

Darren Shimmons (2-34) made light work of Tom Bowen and Matt McWhinnie who both fell for ducks.

However a battling display from Rudge guided Pool to 176 before becoming the last of Barnard’s 3-38.

Monk tore the heart out of their visitors reply with a season best 5-37 reducing Albrighton to 42-5.

Metcalfe (2-8) claimed the coveted wicket of Barnard, caught by Ridge for a top scoring 23 while McWhinnie (1-22) and Breese (1-1) polished off Albrighton for 80 inside 25 overs.