Alberbury 152-9 lost to Pontesbury 155-6 by four wickets

ALBERBURY tasted a four wicket derby defeat at home to local rivals Pontesbury in the John Rees grup of the Henshalls Shropshire League.

Mark Valentine (3-15) starred in tearing the heart out of the home top order with support from Sam Morris (2-36) before James Hearle and James Wynne offered middle order defiance.

The pair combined in a 63 run sixth wicket stand before Hearle fell to Matt Smart for a top scoring 52.

Smart (3-37) continued to erode the home tail end to leave Wynne (49no) and Alberbury left to defend 152-9.

Owen Morris and Matthew Hartshorn laid the foundations for Pontesbury in reply with a 63 run opening wicket stand.

Morris departed to Myles Thomas (1-12) for 32 before Ieuan Griffiths (1-22) snared Dan Walker LBW for three.

However Hartshorn was joined by Dave Thomas in a 50 run third wicket stand to work the scoreboard before being run out by Griffiths for a top scoring 52.

James Bird (2-42) and Owain Roberts (1-37) led to a middle order wobble but Thoms (37no) proved the difference and guided Pontesbury to 155-6 and victory.