Whitchurch march on as seamers shine

On a day when ball dominated bat, just 131 runs were scored as the two Henshalls Insurance Shropshire Cricket League promotion hopefuls went head to head.

But it was leaders Whitchurch who took the spoils with Ellis grabbing the individual plaudits with a six-wicket haul.

Huxley’s side were shot out for 80 as James Parker (4-41) led an impressive bowling display from Worfield.

But that total proved enough with Worfield succumbing for just 51 as Ellis (6-21), and Bowen (2-22) hit their straps before leg-spinner Ijaz Yousaf (2-1) polished off the tail.

“It was a decent deck to be honest,” said Huxley. “It offered a bit to the seamers and the bowlers on both sides bowled very well.

“I was slightly concerned after we were bowled out for 80 but I knew that with Dan and Sam in our side we had a chance.

“Dan is a proven performer and the top wicket-taker in the league and Sam swings the ball both ways.

“We had to put them under pressure and we did just that by reducing them to 9-3.

“Sam bowled beautifully for his six wickets and Dan and Ijaz Yousaf picked up a couple each.

“It was good bowling, there was the odd loose shot but it was a pressure game and I am glad we came out on top.”

Ludlow are now leading the race to catch Whitchurch. They climbed above Worfield into second place on the back of a hard-fought victory against St Georges.

In another clash were the bowlers held sway, Ludlow triumphed by 38 runs to move 14 points behind the leaders, who they face a week on Saturday.

A superb spell of bowling from Neil Davies saw him pick up 7-56 as Ludlow were dismissed for 148.

Skipper Will Sparrow top scored for Ludlow with 35 and then led the victory charge with the ball.

He picked up 4-28 from 12 overs and with Joe Williams (3-18) and Louis Watkins (2-42) offering support, St Georges were bowled out for 110.

Quatt are up to fourth after beating Wem.

Gareth Jones took his wicket tally for the season to 45 with 5-33 as Wem failed to cash in on a good start.

They had progressed nicely to 93-1 thanks to 40s from openers Ned Absolom and Harry Chandler but then tumbled to 157 all out.

A classy unbeaten 81 from Alex Biddle and 41 not out from opener Ryan Wheldon saw Quatt to a seven-wicket success.

John Anthony and Johnathon Davies were the star turns as Newtown eased to a nine-wicket victory over Albrighton.

The duo combined to roll out their visitors for just 64 with Anthony picking up five wickets for just nine runs and Davies claiming 4-8.

An unbeaten 32 from Dai Brown then saw Newtown home inside 13 overs.