Welshpool 131-8 drew with Shelton 186-6

WELSHPOOL had to be content with a draw at home to Shelton in division one of the Henshalls Shropshire League.

Pool tasted early success with Paul Chapman catching opener Alex Walker off Will Metcalfe for a duck before Joe Monk (1-31) left Shelton on 35-2 with the wicket of Zeke Mellor (19).

A 46 run third wicket stand between Harry Jones and Mike Bishton ended with a superb catch and bowl of the latter for 13 by Matt McWhinnie (1-25).

However Jones continued to lead the Shelton attack and was joined by Sam Matthews in a 31 run fourth wicket partnership to push Shelton to 112 when the latter was caught by Metcalf off Rob Anderson (1-30) for 17.

Jones and Louis Arnold came together to add 54 runs for the fifth wicket before Jones was finally caught by Pool captain Russell Cadwallader off Tom Bowen (1-39) for a top scoring 81.

Arnold fell to Metcalfe (2-50) for 21 to leave Sam Griffiths (17no) and Shelton left to defend 186-6.

Pool were on the ropes from the start of their reply as Griffiths (5-41) and Sam Jones (2-30) tore through their top and middle order.

Opener Paul Chapman offered resistance until his fall for 22 left Pool on 54-6 and staring defeat in the face.

It was left to Cadwallader (39no) to dig in and lead the tail end defiance with knocks from Bowen (11) and Monk (16) helping Pool to 131-8 and a draw.