Chirk

CHIRK first XI will be playing a division higher next season after claiming the second promotion spot in the Shropshire County Cricket League Division Two.

Their final game of the season saw them share points away to Lilleshall firsts to confirm a second place finish and send them to the Shropshire County Cricket League Division One for next season.

Chirk were up to bat first and started well with top-order Shaun Walker hitting 42, as Ollie Gough scored five and James Carter six.

Walker was then joined by Nicholas Flack, who top-scored with 80 before being caught by Thomas Mackriel.

Chirk’s middle orders struggled as Lilleshall’s Stephen Bate began to take wickets regularly.

Bate ended the game with six wickets from his 14 overs, as Chirk bowed out with a score of 209 all out for their visitors to chase down.

It was a very slow start for Lilleshall at the crease as they lost their first three batsmen for a total of six runs.

Chirk skipper Andrew Swarbrick resumed his fine bowling form of the previous fixture, which saw him take nine wickets, to take two of the first three wickets.

The home side’s middle orders provided some resistance, with Richard Barge getting some runs on the board, hitting 25.

It was the pairing of Oli Todd and Archie Davidson who did the most damage in reply.

Todd (55 not out) and Davidson (43) were able to restore hope for Lilleshall who were growing closer to the Chirk target.

Conor Steele and James Williamson were dismissed by Mark Shaw for eight runs between them, leaving Charlie Conquest and Todd to reach the target.

However, it was not to be for Lilleshall who fell just short of the Chirk target, finishing on a score of 189-8.

Chirk took 15 points from the game, while Lilleshall took 14.

The season ends with Chirk gaining promotion in second place, 35 points behind league leaders Wellington seconds.

Meanwhile, Chirk seconds also finished second in their division.

They finished 44 points behind leaders Beacon third XI in the Shropshire County Cricket League Division Eight table, to round off a successful opening season in the Shropshire leagues for both sides.

Knockin & Kinnerley

KNOCKIN & Kinnerley first XI will remain in the Shropshire County Cricket League Division One next season after results elsewhere on Saturday meant they avoided relegation.

The firsts travelled to Shelton, knowing victory would keep them in the division next season, yet a defeat could also see survival, depending on other results.

Ben Matthews made a patient 56 for the hosts, and was supported by Sam Nicholls with 28, but Shelton were dismissed for 142.

The wickets were shared between the Knockin bowlers, with Dan Morris, Dan Jones, Lloyd Edwards, and Johnny Evans all taking a pair.

Knockin started their chase in watchful mode, with Tom Breese and Andy Beckett seeing off the new ball shine, before Beckett was given out leg before wicket for 13.

Breese made 44 before missing a straight one, thereafter only Thomas Dix and Marcus Williams made double figures as Knockin were bowled out for 120.

News filtered through that Cound had lost at Shrewsbury, meaning Knockin stayed clear of the trap door.

Knockin second XI were in a similar position as the firsts as they entertained Condover.

The visiting Condover elected to bat first, and racked up 240 from their 40 overs, with Charlie Rogers making 60, and Sam Brooks hitting an unbeaten 54.

Eric Heath took three wickets, while Mac Davies took 1-31 off his 10 overs.

In reply, Knockin lost opener Bluey Thomas, before Ed Nicholas and Gary Darlington made inroads towards the target.

Nicholas was bowled for 24, before Heath and Darlington added 57 for the fourth wicket.

With Heath gone, Darlington made hay in the sunshine before being bowled for 79.

Dave Jones made a sprightly 42 as Knockin closed on 201-6 to give them a return of 10 points.

With Montgomery beating Whitchurch, Knockin finished in ninth, and will look to push on towards a higher finish next year.

Knockin third XI made the trip to Worfield on Sunday, and were made to chase 250, thanks to an unbeaten 92 from Alex Sedgley, while skipper Greg Stokes took two wickets.

In reply, Terry Mutton made 22 and Grant Tunnadine 25, but Knockin were bowled out for 96.

Knockin ended the season in mid table, and as with the firsts and seconds, will seek a higher placing next year.

Ellesmere

A CENTURY for Tom Davies was not enough to end the season on a high for Ellesmere after they suffered defeat away at Bridgnorth seconds.

Davies hit 101 not out, helped by Jack Cockayne’s 32 and Troy Newton’s 34.

But it was not to be for the already-relegated side, with four batsmen dismissed without adding any runs.

The good contributions, along with Davies’ century, meant the side finished with a respectable total of 192-8.

However, the Bridgnorth side looked in fine form as they reached the target having lost just five wickets.

Niall Adam scored 66 while Ross Hurdley added 56.

Skipper Matthew Martin added 34, as well as some smaller contributions from other team members.

Bridgnorth reached the total in the 32nd over to take a five-wicket victory.

The poor result on the final day means Ellesmere finish the season on 173 points at the foot of the table, and sit 41 points adrift of safety.

Their league finish means they will be in the Shropshire County Cricket League Division Two next season.

It was also a tough season for Ellesmere seconds, who finished second from bottom in the Shropshire County Cricket League Division Seven table.

Meanwhile, Ellesmere third XI finished bottom in the Shropshire County Cricket League Sunday Division Two table.

Frankton

FRANKTON will have to wait until mid-October to discover which league they will be playing their cricket in next season.

A two-wicket win on the final day of the season over Shifnal seconds, means Frankton take third place in the Shropshire County Cricket League Division One table.

The north Shropshire men finished just 23 points behind Shrewsbury seconds in second place, and 66 points behind eventual league winners Shelton firsts.

They must now wait until the Shropshire County Cricket League structure sub-committee meets on October 15 to find out whether they will be playing in the Premier Division next season, or whether they will remain in Division One.

After inserting their opposition, Shifnal started well, playing consistently early in the afternoon.

Starting with Tom Collins (20) and Paul Gough (15), Shifnal looked in good form with Ian Simmons (33) and Mark Bissell (58) striking up a good partnership.

However, only Johnathan Mountford’s 21 not out kept the side at the crease, as wickets fell around him in the latter stages of the innings.

The side saw out their 45 overs and finished on 195-8.

In reply, a true captain’s performance by Thomas Wilkie lead the way for Frankton.

Wilkie stayed in, to be joined throughout the afternoon by Brent Doubell (31), George Dickin (16) and Richard Parry-Jones (15).

Wilkie’s 81 not out proved vital to the side’s performance as they eventually reached the target with more than three overs spare.

Meanwhile, Frankton seconds finished a little closer to the drop zone than they would have hoped to, after their defeat on the final day at the hands of Newport seconds.

It looked to be a good day at the office for Frankton who chose to bat first, with top-order Dave Powell scoring 62.

However, his teammates were unable to match his effort and they finished on 165-7.

Newport started similarly with Robert Furniss (64 not out) performing well from the off, helped by skipper David Atherton with 43 runs.

Bobby Gill (23 not out) joined Furniss as the pair scored a total of 87 between them without losing their wickets.

Newport took the win, finishing with a score of 166-3.

There was a winning draw for Frankton thirds on the final day of the season at Whitchurch thirds.