Montgomery 134 all out lost to Ellesmere 206-9 by 72 runs

A DEPLETED Montgomery succumbed to a 72 run defeat against table topping Ellesmere in division two of the Henshalls Shropshire League.

Montgomery were shorn of captain Sam Williams, Harry Wilkinson, Patrick Fletcher, Alex Bromley and Tim Davies for the visit of the early season league leaders.

Montgomery restricted the Meresiders to little over 90 runs after 30 overs but a period of aggressive batting from Tom Davies (72), Ashley Thomas (42) and Kieran Barry (39) saw the visitors finish 206-9 after 45 overs.

With the baking sun basking over Lymore, Montgomery’s bowling attack were sent scampering around the park in the final 15 overs.

Rob Yewdall (3-27) led Monty’s wicket haul with Eddie Bennett (2-69) bowling well only to be destroyed in his second spell by an Ellesmere attack which cleared the boundary rope for six on nine occasions.

Stand-in skipper Aaron Ruff-Cock also took 2-53 as Ellesmere closed on a commanding 206-9.

Montgomery were all out for 134 in reply with last week’s hero, Ieuan Griffiths (45) falling five runs short of his half century when caught on the boundary going for a six.

Ruff-Cock contributed with 25 while the other of the previous week’s star performers, Andrew Barker, was clean bowled for 20 as Monty fell for 134.