NEWTOWN stormed to an emphatic 10 wicket win at home to Chirk in division one of the Henshalls Shropshire League to maintain their bid for a top three finish.

The Colliers were left to defend a meagre 82-9 as Tom Anderson (3-11) and Craig Davies (3-16) starred for the hosts while Shaun Walker (15) top scored.

Steve Davies (36no) and John Anthony (39no) carried their bats in reply with Chirk’s demise completed inside 16 overs.

Meanwhile Alberbury crashed to a 47 run defeat at Wellington IIs as they remained in the basement doldrums.

Steve Lamb (66) was joined by Ian Murphy (31) and Matt Stinson (23) in helping the hosts post 188 with Myles Thomas (4-23), Sam Morris (2-39) and Tom Butler (2-44) taking wickets.

Lara Jones (28) top scored in reply as Steve Moules (3-23), Hamza Bhatti (2-43), Martin Weill (2-23) and Stinson (2-28) completed Alberbury’s demise for 141.

County Times: Newtown’s Craig Davies in action against Chirk. Picture by Dave Evans.

Newtown’s Craig Davies in action against Chirk. Picture by Dave Evans.

Elsewhere Montgomery fell to a six wicket defeat at Knockin in division two.

Montgomery were restricted to 164-9 by Adam Smith (4-20), Dan Morris (2-27) and Joe Kynaston (2-33) with opener and captain Andrew Barker (49) top scoring.

Smith (65no) and Rhys Williams (40no) guided Knockin to 168-4 in reply with Sam Williams (2-39) the pick of the Monty attack.

Meanwhile Welshpool celebrated a 53 run victory at home to Frankton IIs in division three with the hosts posting 188-7 to defend following top scoring knocks from Nick Davies (59) and Paul Chapman (39) with Troy Newton (4-37) leading the wickets.

Grant McKay (46) and Jason Brookes (32) led Frankton’s reply before captain Rob Anderson (3-34) and Patrick Davies (3-18) ended their challenge for 135 as Pool celebrated a comfortable margin of victory at Maesydre.

County Times: Newtown’s Craig Davies in action against Chirk. Picture by Dave Evans.

Newtown’s Craig Davies in action against Chirk. Picture by Dave Evans.

Elsewhere Bishop’s Castle crashed to an eight wicket home defeat to Broseley in division four after paying the price for a below par batting display.

Tom Moulder (20) and Jonathan Price (19) top scored as Castle crept to 85 to defend with Emrys Rowlands (3-4) and Alfie Oakes (2-19) the pick of the attack.

Adam Hollinshead (38no) carried his bat in reply with Kieran Osborne (20no) seeing the visitors to 86-2 while Simon Palmer (2-17) claimed wickets.