NEWTOWN IIs slipped to a battling six wicket defeat at Whitchurch IIs in Henshalls Shropshire League Five.

Paul Hawthorn (1-38) removed opener Josh Wharton, caught by Jonathon Davies for 47, only for Dave Marvell and John Peers to take centre stage.

Marvell (87) and Peers (55) both fell to Danny Foulkes (2-60) but only after guiding the hosts to a commanding 247-4 to defend.

Chris Brothwood (3-20) claimed the Newtown top order in reply before Matt Humphreys (56) and Foulkes (50) offered middle order defiance.

Peers (3-40) maintained pressure on the Newtown order with Richard Smout (31no) ending unbeaten and the Welsh side at 210-7.

Meanwhile Alberbury IIs made light work of Montgomery IIs with a 110 run victory at Pecknall Farm.

Morgan Matthews (2-32) claimed early success for Monty only for David Butler (68) and Rhys Phillips (51) to revive the middle order before falling to Brian Corfield (2-10).

Lennon Bryan (2-31) continued to pressurise the Alberbury order with Tom Butler (17no) and Ed Roberts (19no) steering the hosts to 217-7 to defend.

Monty were on the ropes in reply as Neil Savage (2-10) struck while Alex Hughes (2-30) claimed the wickets of Alex Matthews (18) and Keith Griffiths (16).

Bryan (15) was the only other Monty batsman to post double figures before being caught by Andrew Dale off Roberts (1-24) before Joss Elliott (3-7) and Tom Butler (2-10) polished off the Monty tail to complete their demise for 107 in the 36th over.

Elsewhere Welshpool IIs crashed to a 58 run defeat at home to Beacon IIIs in division eight.

Harry Bowen (2-36) and Matt Sherwood (2-28) restricted Beacon to 170-6 with Luke Bedford (52) and Steve Reece (44) top scoring for the visitors.

Dave Whitehouse (40) and John Gough (32) led Pool’s reply before Adam Veysey (2-9) and Ed Blunt (2-25) ensured the end of their challenge at 112-7.