Foulkes and Davies play key roles as Newtown overcome Chirk

NEWTOWN opened their Shropshire League One campaign with a two wicket win at home to Chirk.

Town wasted little time in making their mark with Ollie Gough bowled by Tom Anderson (1-30) for a duck before Gareth Partridge (10) fell to David Anthony.

James Carter and and Nick Flack built the Chirk innings as the middle order worked the scoreboard.

Craig Davies and Joe Monk celebrated success with Davies snaring Carter LBW for 29 and Flack caught by Sam Cooke off Monk for 26.

Monk (2-30) struck again with Shaun Walker caught by Sam Morris for 13 before Davies (3-25) bowled Sam Davies (1) and Mark Shaw was caught by Anthony for 28.

Anthony (2-27) celebrated the wicket of Andrew Swarbrick before Wynn Jones (24no) and Billy Swarbrick (7no) guided Chirk to 158-8 to defend.

Town stuttered in reply with John Anthony trapped LBW for a duck by Andrew Swarbrick (1-22) before Sam Morris was caught by Shaw off Luke Gardner for seven.

Ryan Davies (11) was snared LBW by Jones (1-48) and Anderson (16) by Flack (1-14) before Twm Foulkes joined Ricky Davies to form a fifth wicket stand.

The pair combined to work the scoreboard and push the home side toward their target before Davies was caught by Gardner off Billy Swarbrick for 37.

The tail end wobbled as Billy Swarbrick (2-30) trapped Cooke LBW for four while Gardner (3-35) toppled Ally Laird and Monk cheaply.

However Newtown were not to be denied as Davies (8no) joined Foulkes (41no) in guiding Newtown to 159-8 and victory in the 38th over.