Bomere Heath remain at the summit of Division 1 of the Saxonby Shrewsbury & District Evening Cricket League after seeing off closest challengers Wem, writes Joss Elliott.
Youngster Harry Bolland was the pick of the hosts’ bowling attack, picking up 3-7 off four tight overs, skipper Josh Gough top-scoring for Wem with 30 as they finished on 93-8.
Rob Dean weighed in with an undefeated 40 to see the Heathers home by six wickets.
Wem had enjoyed more success the night before when they travelled to Frankwell to face reigning champions Grasshoppers.
Keeper Harry Chandler (33) and Tom Astley (22) got the visitors off to a good start, and a late injection of runs from Steve Blenkinsopp (21) lifted the total to 135-8 as Adam Williams picked up 4-18 for Hoppers.
After the dismissal of opener Matt Richards (28) it was down to skipper Andy Harrison (27) and Joe Yapp (21) to keep the chase alive, but the tight Wem attack left the champions 16 runs short on 119-7.
Frankton gained further ground on Knockin as they hosted the basement battle. Archie Dickin’s 3-29 was the highlight for the Hardwick Park outfit as Knockin were dismissed for 86 inside 17 overs.
Scott Hale (35 not out), Dave Powell (30 not out), and Ishan Gangwani (22) made light work of the chase.
Pontesbury stretched their lead to 49 points in Division 2 with a seven wicket victory over Bomere Heath’s second string.
Openers Charlie Home (77) and Ben Cox (24) set the standard for the Heathers but no-one else reached double figures as they finished on 127 from their allotted overs, Pat Cudmore picking up 3-22.
Carpenter Owen Morris led the chase for Pontesbury, helping himself to 53, with useful support from hard hitting Mike Bellamore (24) and Cudmore (21 not out) to see the league leaders home in the 18th over.
Rough & Tumblers remain bottom after going dowm to Alberbury at Pecknall farm. Despite the best efforts of Simon Corbet (43 not out) and Tawanke Sitole (37) the visitors’ total of 123-3 never looked enough as Andy Dale and Andy Wynne saw the hosts home by nine wickets with unbeaten fifties each.
Shelton enjoyed a successful trip to Harnage Road as they overcame Cound by just nine runs. Opener Ben Mathews hit 50 of Shelton’s 132-9 as regular keeper Graham Trow turned his arm for 3-24.
Chris Parry (26) top scored for Cound, but their reply fell just short as Rishi Trivedi (3-31) restricted them to 123-7.
Beacon are top of the pile in Division 3 after a convincing victory over Acton Reynald at Frankwell.
Only John Cotton (20) could manage double figures for the Grinshill men as they used their full allotment of overs to reach 92 all out – Adam Phillips the pick of the Beacon attack with 3-9 from three impressive overs.
A half century from opener Yuri Pugh (54) ensured Beacon came home at a canter, reaching their target in the 12th over.
Prees kept the pressure on Beacon at the top with victory at Wroxeter Grove.
Pete Richards hit 6 fours in his 31 ball knock of 39 as the visitors posted 136-8, youngster Josh Hill picking up 2-14.
Despite a steady 59 from opener Rich Evason, Wrovers never kept up with the chase and were dismissed in the last over for 112, Elliott Bowen claiming 3-9.
Wellington enjoyed a triumphant trip to Ellesmere, returning with a 13 run victory over the Lakesiders.
Alex Tudor (47), James Flynn (25) and Ian Murphy (20) all made useful middle order runs to help the Orleton Park outfit to 134 all out off the penultimate ball. Felix Ashley picked up 3-18 for the hosts.
In-form Jonny Mitchell (69) started the reply well, but with no support elsewhere Ellesmere were sent packing for 121, Lewis Gough picking up 3-17 for Wellington.
RAF Shawbury’s woes at the foot of the table continued as they conceded to Alberbury’s second eleven.
Oswestry Orthopaedics enjoyed their first win of the season in Division 4 West at the hands of second-placed Llandrinio.
Gary Griffiths top-scored with 32 for the Rosebowl outfit as Birander Balain claimed the first three Llandrinio victims, returning figures of 3-14.
Omer Salar (46 not out) and Rob Bannerjee (36) saw the surgeons home for the loss of just two wickets.
Leaders Whitchurch took full advantage of Llandrinio’s defeat with victory at Gatacre Park.
Jack Giddings (56) and Evelyn Jones (34) helped the visitors up to 136-7.
Pete Bowyer (42 not out) was the pick of the Cae Glas reply, but tight bowling from Martha Teggin (2-14) ensured the hosts ended 18 short on 118-5.
Frankton seconds enjoyed the batting conditions at the Nursery Ground as they amassed 171-3 against Knockin’s seconds.
Danny Evans (54), Dylan Evans (47), and Cian Jones (33 not out) all made useful contributions for the Hardwick Park men.
Rhys Williams’ 67 was the stand-out performance in Knockin’s reply, which ended on 108-4.
High scores were also in evidence at Calverhall where Wem’s second string posted 161-5, thanks in the main to Simon Thornley (78) and Ben Parry (51).
Not to be outdone, Calverhall were indebted to Dave Marvell (68) and Andy Green (50 not out) as they reached their target in the 18th over for the loss of 4 wickets.
The highest team score of the week went to Allscott, who amassed 191-6 at the hands of Condover in Division 4 East, Callum Rigby (62) and Bradley Thornton (46) inflicting the bulk of the damage.
Fifty from Andy Mottram, and good support from skipper Charlie Rogers (35) weren’t enough as the home team’s reply ended on 128-6, Thornton completing a good allround performance by returning 2-11.
Buck’s Head struggled to 83 all out at Much Wenlock, number 10 bat Paul Dean restoring some respectability by top scoring with 18 for the pubmen as Bradley Themans picked up 3-11 from three good overs.
Connor Bennett (27 not out) and keeper Ed Myers (23) saw Wenlock home by six wickets with six overs to spare.
Old Post Office went 32 points clear at the top of the division as Beacon’s second outfit conceded their game.