WELSHPOOL crashed to a heavy defeat on the road with a 128 run defeat at Chirk in division two of the Henshalls Shropshire League.

Opener Gareth Partridge laid solid foundations for the hosts before departing to Rob Anderson (2-37) for 41 to leave James Carter to be joined by Nicholas Flack for the third wicket.

The duo worked the scoreboard with a superb 115 run partnership with Flack including eight fours and three sixes before being caught by Patrick Davies off Chris Proctor for 65 with the hosts 177-3.

Carter and Andrew Swarbrick formed a 90 run fourth wicket stand to push the hosts to 267 when the latter fell to Proctor (2-73) for 55 with Carter (82no) leaving Chirk 272-4 for Pool to chase.

Andrew Swarbrick struck early in reply with Nick Davies and Dan Chodecki removed for ducks.

Surviving opener Paul Chapman was joined by captain Russell Cadwallader in a 73 run third wicket stand before being trapped LBW by Billy Swarbrick for 42 and spark a middle order wobble.

James Breese (1) and Tom Bowen (4) fell cheaply as Gareth Partridge (2-21) reduced Pool to 84-5.

Cadwallader’s stoic innings finally came to an end with the wily veteran bowled by Billy Swarbrick (2-46) for 37.

Proctor (19) and Davies (20) led tail order resistance before falling to Andrew Swarbrick in quick succession to leave Pool on 140-8.

Swarbrick (5-21) was joined by Wynn Jones (1-33) in polishing off Pool’s tail end for 144 in the 42nd over to complete Chirk’s 128 run victory.