Jaw-dropping catch helps Wem to win

Wem's emphatic 124-run success over Quatt combined with Newport's draw against St Georges saw the table-toppers' advantage cut by seven points to 22.

Peel was delighted by his side's performance – and especially a catch by Sam Peate to help dismiss Danny Hughes.

The captain said: "It was a really good performance and the catch by Sam was frighteningly good, probably the best I have ever seen.

"There was a half-volley which got slapped head height two or three yards to his left and he took off and somehow held on to it."

Richard Maree and Danny Cohen ripped through the Quatt batting to finish with 4-34 and 6-33 respectively, as the visitors were skittled out for 77 replying to 201-9.

Peel top scored for the hosts with 85, Jonathan Edwards and Hayden Cargo claiming four wickets apiece.

Peel added: "It's nice to make up some ground, but the title's still theirs to lose. We just need to keep winning our games and it's pleasing that we are doing that and keeping the pressure on."

Reman Services remain third after they eased to a 132-run victory over Cound. Andy Harrison claimed five wickets for Cound but 76 by opener Matthew Richards helped Reman to 226-7.

Alex Johnson was the chief destroyer as he picked up five wickets, as Cound were bowled out for 94. Wicketkeeper Calum Bennett-Morris top scored with 17.

An unbeaten century from Jamie Griffiths frustrated leaders Newport as St Georges held out a for a draw.

The table-toppers made a poor start in front of a healthy crowd at Audley Avenue, as openers Paul and Robert Furniss departed with just 11 on the board.

But that only brought former Indian Premier League star Rajat Bhatia to the crease and he passed 1,000 runs for the season with a magnificent 192 not out.

His innings contained 16 fours and nine sixes. Supported by 73 from Ryan Jakeman, Newport posted 310-3 from their 50 overs.

St Georges looked in deep trouble at 37-4 but Griffiths produced just when his side needed him to help the visitors finish on 194-6.

Harry Stow and Thomas Welti ripped through the Ludlow & South Shropshire batsmen to help Frankton defend a low total and win by 18 runs.

James Gerritse took 6-41 as Frankton struggled after being put into bat and were dismissed for 151, Jacob Northwood top scoring with 34.

But Stow claimed the wickets of the top four Ludlow batsmen on his way to figures of 5-24. He received great support from Welti (4-25) with only Rob Genner offering any real resistance with 34.

And Madeley are targeting two more wins to banish any Premier Division relegation fears after a crucial victory over Bomere Heath.

The Park Street side ended a run of four straight defeats with an 12-1-run success against the side immediately below them in the table.

Captain Andrew Lloyd said: "It was a massive game for us and one that we needed to win. We could have been dragged down into the relegation battle because heads do go down a bit after a run of defeats.

"But all credit to the lads. They got there a bit earlier on Saturday and pulled together and played as a team. I was chuffed to bits.

"We still have games left against sides just below or above us so if we can get another two 24 points then we should be safe, although you never know!"

Opener Thomas Dangerambizi hit 76 and Jonathan Prince 56 to help set Madeley on their way. But the hosts collapsed from 193-4 to 200 all out, with Jonathon Wills taking four wickets.

Bomere were soon in trouble with the bat as they slipped to 8-4. Rob Dean showed some resistance with an unbeaten 33 but Lee Jackson took 6-21 as the visitors were dismissed for 79.

Lloyd added: "The collapse we had was disappointing. We should have been looking at 250 or 260 from the position we were in.

"But all credit to our bowlers. Lee Jackson was swinging the ball both ways and causing them all sorts of trouble.

"We probably had the better of the wicket and they were missing a few players, but we still had to go and do our job."

Broseley enjoyed a comfortable 152-run victory over bottom club Wroxeter Grove.