Shropshire Cricket League Division One

Frankton consolidated third place in the Shropshire Cricket League Division One with a thumping win over north Shropshire rivals Ellesmere, who remain rock bottom.

The hosts were anchored to victory by a magnificent unbeaten century from Jordan Barry, who finished 102 not out as Frankton posted a fine 286-4 from their 45 overs.

Openers Ian Whitticase and Brent Doubell gave Frankton a fine platform as both openers reached halfway to a 50 but Whitticase soon departed, run out for 26 while Doubell failed to capitalise on his chance and was caught for 43.

Jason Brookes came to the crease and he set about the visiting attack and he was soon joined by Parry – Thomas Wilkie and skipper Mark Lammie out for 16 and 14, respectively – and they remained their until the end of the innings.

Brookes took a back seat to Parry’s big hitting as he finished 56 not out as the pair gave the Ellesmere bowlers and fielders the run around all afternoon.

Troy Newton and Bradley Chapman were the other wicket-takers.

In reply, Ellesmere made a solid start as all four top-order batters made it into double figures – opener Jonathan Mitchell reached 25 before he was bowled by Richard Parry Jones and Laurence Ashley made 19 before Stuart Lammie had him caught.

Once they were out, it was all downhill from there for the visitors as only Jack Cockayne’s 19 not out showed any resistance in the middle and lower order.

They were eventually bowled out for 147-9 – Felix Ashley did not bat – and were helped to their score by some inaccurate bowling from Frankton who conceded 30 wides as part of 47 extras.

However, when they did bowl it straight, Richard Parry-Jones finished with figures of 4-37 from nine overs and Mark Lammie impressed with 3-30 from four overs.

Jacob Northwood, who did not concede a run for his two overs, and Stuart Lammie both finished with one wicket apiece with Frankton taking all 20 points as Ellesmere decided to field first.

In more north Shropshire derby action, Frankton’s second XI made the trip to Morda Road in Oswestry to face their counterparts in the second XI.

Frankton were inserted by their hosts on a pitch that would have been affected by the heavy rains in Shropshire throughout the week.

But for opener George Dickin, there were no problems as he raced to scored 75 in a fine innings at the top of the order.

But he was not given any support as only one batter between him and number eight reached double figures, as Tom Cockayne reached 15.

Frankton’s chances were boosted with a late surge of runs as Grant Mckay was run out for 45 and skipper Will James scored 13, with Jack Hutchinson scoring 11 as they finished 189 all out.

Josh Darley’s 3-34 was the pick of the Oswestry bowling. He was then straight into the action with a fine half-century at the top of the order for Oswestry, before he was trapped lbw by Mckay for 61.

He was given able support from the rest of the top four as fellow opener Archie James scored 32, skipper Alex Davidsion 45 from number three and Steve Humphreys posted 28.

While Frankton dismissed all four, the damage was done and Oswestry romped home by five wickets.

On Saturday, Frankton’s first XI host Newtown and the second XI travel to Ludlow – both starting at 1pm.

Shropshire Cricket League Division Two

APART from losing the toss, everything went so right for Chirk captain Andrew Swarbrick in the Shropshire Cricket League Division Two on Saturday.

Visiting St Georges second XI skipper Matthew Conniffe asked the home team to bat but Swarbrick made them pay with a hard-hitting 83 that included five sixes and eight fours.

Number nine Luke Gardner’s 30 not out at the end of the innings helped Chirk past the 200 mark as they closed on 210-7.

Other notable scores included 20 for opener Shaun Walker while Ollie Gough finished 11 not out.

In reply, Swarbrick then produced an amazing five-wicket haul from his eight overs, conceding just one run in the process as the visitors were skittled out for just 30 in 20 overs.

None of the batsmen made it to double figures with 10 extras their biggest score as Gardner and Wynn Jones also took two wickets each for second-placed Chirk, now 27 points behind leaders, Wellington second XI.

They have a 14-point lead over Montgomery who currently sit in third place of the league.

Meanwhile, the second XI’s trip to Much Wenlock’s second string was one of the many to have fallen foul of the heavy rains that have bombarded Shropshire throughout June.

While Chirk picked up five points for the cancellation, a game and a possible win would have been much preferred as the Holyhead Road men chase down leaders Beacon third XI who sit in in first place.

Chirk have 80 points but are 27 behind Beacon, who continue to show the way, and are eight points ahead of Condover’s second string, who beat Cae Glas.

This week, the first XI host Wroxeter & Uppington CC, while the seconds travel to Cae Glas in Oswestry. Matches begin at 1pm.

Shropshire County Cricket League Division Four

Cae Glas made the trek to Bishops Castle on Saturday still looking for their first win of the season, and in a game reduced to 30 overs a side because of a delayed start, they came as close as they have done all season, losing a thrilling game on the penultimate ball.

Having lost the toss, it was no surprise when the visitors were asked to bat first and the slow outfield and damp pitch made things tricky as wickets fell steadily but still made 90-8 from their 30 overs.

Ian Holgate led the way with 30 at the top of the order, ably supported by Matt Coulson (20) and George Jones (16 not out).

In reply, Bishops Castle were cruising to victory at 35 for no wicket, but when the dangerous John Price was caught in the deep by Barry Richards, Cae Glas glimpsed a glimmer of a chance.

With their never-say-die attitude, Cae very nearly snatched a victory, as the introduction of Richards into the attack and the experienced Gaz Edgerton led to panic in the home side and they lost six quick wickets – Richards taking 2-9 and Edgerton 3-8.

When Matt Coulson ran out top scorer Andy Lewis a shock looked on, and going into the last over, Castle required four to win.

However, home skipper Harry Palmer held his nerve and scrambled the winning run with just one ball to spare.

Cae Glas will be hoping for better luck next week when the are away again at Calverhall on Saturday.

Meanwhile, for the second XI, a sighting of Noah and standing water on the square after the week’s deluge left the Gatacre pitch difficult to score runs on, despite the drying weather.

It was no surprise that having won the toss Condover invited the home side to bat first in a game reduced to 35 overs.

A combination of accurate bowling and the ground conditions meant Cae Glas could only post 84-6.

Alex Carter batted well as surprise opener and Shaun Southern bolstered the score with a breezy 21.

The credit was given to Condover’s bowlers, who gave nothing away.

The difficulty is scoring runs and the usual whole hearted bowling effort saw Condover take fully 28 overs to secure victory.

Mike Rogers was typically watchful in his 31 not out as Condover won by eight wickets in glorious evening sunshine.

This week’s game is home to second in the table Chirk who will make the short trip.