The Montgomery skipper kept his head to catch John Norton with just three balls remaining and keep his side in winning ways.

Tuffin said: “It was an excellent game of cricket between two good sides.

“There were good performances across the park and although I was disappointed we did not to get more runs I felt the bowlers did their job in putting pressure back on Ellesmere.”

Montgomery’s opening partnership of Richard Blayney and Rob Kinsey combined well in a fine first wicket stand of 50.

Blayney was caught for 18 off John Bennett (1-18) but Kinsey batted on but fell short of his half century when caught for 46 off Paul Higginson, who went on to bowl Rob Yewdall for a duck.

A middle order collapse from Montgomery saw David Mason (23) and veteran allrounder Keith Griffiths (11) provide the only prolonged resistance as the Welsh side closed on a disappointing 154-9.

With the wicket now completely dried the Ellesmere opening attack soon made in-roads into the target laid down by Monty.

Gary Darlington (38) and Andy Rose (27) made 50 for the first wicket before Kinsey (3-33) finally uprooted their wickets.

Steady progress through the top order was slowed by a middle order revival by Paul Higginson and Richard Edwards.

Once again Kinsey struck to dismiss Higginson for 22, while skipper Tuffin accounted for dangerman Edwards for 27.

Tuffin (3-18) ripped through the remainder of the middle order with Rob Yewdall returning for a second bowling stint.

The decision proved a masterstroke with Yewdall (3-33) accounting for the tail end and included the prize wicket of Norton (12), with just three balls remaining.

Meanwhile Bishops Castle were satisfied with 12 points and a winning draw at home to South Shropshire derby rivals Church Stretton.

Richard Fifield top scored with 57 before being snared LBW by Andy Dixon, who also accounted for Steve Morris and Will Middleton (3-33) in a tight spell.

With only Andrew Lewis (21) and Simon Palmer (30no) making double figures Castle stuttered to just 142 for seven.

Church Stretton enjoyed a bright opening with Phil Lee (24), Sameer Khalid (26) and Joe Nicholls (27) on form.

However Middleton (3-30) was joined by Mark Davies (1-31) and Palmer (2-29) in restricting Stretton to 132 for seven.