DAVE Laird struck a century for Newtown but his side had to be content with a draw against Shrewsbury IIs in division one of the Henshalls Shropshire League.

The hosts had a less than promising start when captain John Anthony was run out for one which brought Laird to the crease alongside surviving opener Matthew Knight.

Knight provided support before being trapped LBW by Lewis Evans (3-53) for 30 with Evans going on to dismiss Tom Foulkes (4) and Tom Anderson (0) while Joe Patenden (1-44) sent Sam Cooke (2) back to the pavillion.

However Laird starred with a top scoring knock of 123 before departing to Bradley Thornton (1-56) to leave Richard Smout (32no) to guide Newtown to 211-6 to defend

Dave Anthony snared opener Stephen Pym LBW for five as Newtown looked to make an immediate impression on the Shrews top order.

Evans was caught by Bryant Galpin off Anderson (1-33) for 14 while Joe Monk (2-19) dismissed Adam Keen (19) and Thornton (10) before Foulkes ran out Josh Wharton for a duck.

Anthony completed his 2-14 with Mikhil Jain (14) removed while Anderson ran out George Hughes (9) as wickets continued to fall.

However surviving opener Harry Cooke kept his head while all around him had lost theirs and carried bis bat with a dogged 86no before being joined by Will Hughes (0no) in guiding Shrewsbury to 161-7 and a draw.