MONTGOMERY IIs suffered the heartache of a one run defeat at Shelton IIs in division one of the Henshalls Shropshire Reserve League.

Sam Nicholls (64) and Zeke Mellor (55) starred with Steve Griffiths (20no) and Jim Cadwallader (20no) guiding Shelton to 202-5 to defend at Lymore.

Neil Tuffin (2-28) and David Jones (2-23) proved the pick of the Monty attack.

Matthew Jones (68) and Brian Corfield (21) led the Monty reply and despite losing regular wickets to Mellor (2-55) and Steve Bishton (4-53) the visitors yielded a staggering 53 extras to ensure the home side remained in contention.

Neil Tuffin (16no) guided Monty to within grasp of glory only to fall one run short.

Meanwhile Alberbury IIs slumped to a heavy 122 run defeat at home to St Georges IVs.

Ross Wilmot (77) and Simon Chesters (64) starred as the Saints posted 229 to defend with Tom Butler (4-30), James Harrap (3-35) and Steve Morris (2-52) taking wickets.

Liam Forrester (5-37) starred in reply with support from Allan Myatt (2-23) and Sam Chambers (2-12) with Joss Elliott (32no) offering resistance before his side’s demise for 107 in the 31st over.

Newtown IIs slipped to a three wicket defeat at Lilleshall IIs in division two.

Ryan Blayney (3-19) and Brandon Baynham (3-17) led the Town attack while Sam Morris (1-45) claimed the wicket of opener Simon Millington for 57.

However Alan Simmons’ unbeaten century ensured Lilleshall posted a commanding 221-7 to defend.

Ricky Davies (41) and Morris (44) led Town’s reply but Simmons (3-30) and Millington (2-34) led the home attack and completed the Welsh side’s demise for 207 in the 38th over.

Elsewhere Welshpool IIs celebrated a 42 run win at home to Ellesmere IIs in division three.

Opener Matt Sherwood starred with a top scoring 71 with Greg Jones (20), Jordan Harding (15), Allan Williams (16), Ronnie Bowen (12) and Adam Gannon (13) helping Pool to 182 to defend.

Lee Davis (3-17, Dan Harrington (3-22) and James Boyd (2-51) took the wickets for Mere.

Jones (2-57) claimed the key wickets of Graeme Cowey (50) and Davis (29) in reply with Williams (2-47), Rupert Redway (2-24) and Harding (2-21) completing Mere’s fall for 140.