Powys clubs set for new Shropshire Cricket League season

Tom Anderson has taken over the captaincy with the Recreation Ground club welcoming the arrival of 19 year old Namibian allrounder JC Balt.

The return of Mike Bellamore along with sons Riley and Finn also provides a boost to the Town ranks following the departure of bowler Joe Monk to premier league side Oswestry.

Meanwhile Callum Foulkes has taken over the club's second string which will be supplemented by graduates of the successful under 15s team.

The club will also be running under 11s and under 18s teams this season with a view to develop homegrown talent and maintain the club's status as Powys' leading club.

Mike Bellamore along with sons Riley and Finn.

OTHER NEWS: 

• Powys hotel clashes with Powys Council over tree works
• Powys church to close after more than 150 years
• LIVE: Day Two of the Rebecca Steer murder trial

Little has changed at Pecknall Farm following Alberbury's relegation to the second division.

Lara Jones will continue to captain the first team with father Mark serving as vice-captain while James Harrap and Joss Elliott have taken on the second team captaincy.

The border club will also continue to operate a side in the Sunday league with James Lee and Paul Jones at the helm while the club's midweek teams will be led by Ed Roberts with support from Olly Pope while Ieuan Griffiths and Neil Savage lead the midweek reserve side.

Alberbury's Mark Jones. Picture by Phil Blagg Photography. PB055-2021-2.

Welshpool will be led by pace bowler Matt McWhinnie as the Maesydre club target promotion from the third division.

The club has welcomed the return of spinner Allan Williams from local rivals Guilsfield while also aiming to further develop the talents of allrounders Tom Bowen and Sam Cadwallader along with pace bowler Dan Cadwallader.

McWhinnie will also look to regular performers Paul Chapman, Nick Davies and Matt Sherwood to lead with the bat while Rob Anderson and Rhys Roberts will feature in the club's bowling attack.

Meanwhile the club's second string will bid to consolidate under the captaincy of Dale Evans in division six.

Welshpool's Matt McWhinnie. Picture by Phil Blagg.

Montgomery bid to recover from their relegation to the third division with Andrew Barker retaining the helm at Lymore.

The club has signed allrounder Nathan Smith who has joined from Kent based Staplehurst having relocated to the area while also signing batsman Gaz Bromley from Pontesbury.

A club spokesman said: "We are looking forward to the season. The recent wet weather has delayed preparations slightly but thanks to the grounds team’s hard work we should be good to go."

Tom Corfield will also continue to lead the club's second string in division six.

Andrew Barker will captain Montgomery. Picture by Phil Blagg Photography. PB100-2020-2.

Make sure you don't miss out on any of our news, sports and features. You'll see fewer adverts and enjoy great high street offers too. Just click here for your Powys County Times digital subscription.

Guilsfield embark on an exciting new era in their history with the launch of a second team for the first time.

Meanwhile Dave Lewis will lead the Guils in division four which has been bolstered by the husband and wife partnership of Rhodri and Katie Parfitt who have joined from Enville.

The club has welcomed the return of wicketkeeper Andy Trow who is joined by batsman Richard Jones in joining from Montgomery while left arm bowler Chris Flynn has joined from Knockin.

Lewis paid tribute to Allan Williams after the latter departed to rejoin Welshpool.

"We thanks Allan for his services over the last four seasons," said Lewis. "In our 2021 title winning season he finished as leading wicket taker for the division and player of the division. we also thank all our sponsors for the season."

The club's newly formed second team will be led by Gary Griffiths in the eighth division.

It's a new era for Guilsfield Cricket Club. Picture by Phil Blagg Photography. PB059-2021-1.

Llanidloes captain Andrew Jones has targeted promotion from division five this year and will be assisted by vice captain Eogan Jones.

He said: "We are really looking to win the league this year with strong group of experienced players and a few younger ones thrown in. If we have our full team out, we are more than capable of playing a couple of divisions higher.

"Division five is wide open this year and lots of teams will fancy it but we will back ourselves to win every game and look for a top two finish. Getting off to a good start will be very important."

Llanidloes captain Andrew Jones. Picture by Phil Blagg. PB218-2019-5.

Want to stay up to date with all the latest stories from Powys? Click here to sign up for our morning and daily email newsletters and click on the + for the ‘Morning Briefing’ and the 'Daily Catch-Up'.