Worfield march on, Wroxeter feel at home

Worfield maintained their impressive start to the FBC Manby Bowdler season after a comfortable win against Forton.

Having inserted Forton, and restricted them to 142 and knocked off the required runs inside 23 overs for the loss of three wickets.

Tim Perry scored a second successive 50, while Matt Turner finished unbeaten on 33. Mat MacInnes took two wickets.

Earlier, Manny Singh (3-15) had done most to put Forton in trouble on 58-5; Richard Anthony (45) and MacInnes (20) led a partial recovery before Tim Beardmore finished the innings off with 3-22.

Second placed Wroxeter also won at home to Montgomery. Fielding three Homes, dad Guy led the way with 62, uncle Ed scored 59 while son Tom got 32.

Nick Bevan also got a half century, all contributing to an impressive 245-6. Rob Kinsey toiled for 17 overs to take 4-86.

Despite 24 from David Mason, the Montgomery top order failed, and it was left to Jonathan Williams (44), Andrew Barker (23) and extras (41) to boost their score to 175 before they were dismissed with seven deliveries left. Scott Woodland did most of the damage, taking 5-58.

Cound, in third place, were frustrated at Llanidloes as the home team easily held out for a draw when faced with a target of 256.

For Cound Graham Trow scored his second successive century, aided by 45 from Craig Heath. After the pyrotechnics of his 13 ball 50 last week, Adam Williams returned to the pavilion with a duck.

Against a barrage of attacking strokes, Adrian Foulkes did well to record the impressive figures of 5-45 from 11 overs.

In reply, Butch Evans (66) and Marc Hughes (55) laid a good foundation with a century opening stand, while Rob Smith (39) saw Llani to 206-4. Williams did however have success with the ball — 2-55.

There was a similar story at Hardwick Park where Frankton entertained Welshpool.

Opting to bat first, Frankton posted 197-6, with skipper Jordan Parry again leading the way with an unbeaten 63.

Dave Frost and Ernie Birch shared the bowling honours with two wickets apiece.

No Welshpool batsman got in sufficiently to attack the home bowling as they closed on 131-7 in 45 overs. Ed Whyte, Parry and Wilkie all took two wickets in a 17-6 draw.

Lilleshall added to Ellesmere's woes after a 97 run home victory.

Three men were mainly responsible for the win - Will Askin (59 not out and 5-43), Paul Bainbridge (45 and 2-9) and Simon Millington (25 and 2-13) — although Andrew Lloyd's 53 at the top of the Lilleshall order should not be forgotten.

They all helped the home team 239-5, with Tom Davies (3-43) the most successful bowler.

In the visitor's innings, Alex Duncan top scored with 29, although there were a staggering 62 extras, Ellesmere were bowled out for 142.

Alberbury were nearly predictable again - lose the toss, score 150 - but this time win, albeit narrowly.

This time they scored 151-9 in 45 overs against Condover, thanks to 25 from Neil Savage (elevated to No 4), 23 from Charlie Bourne and a vital 31 extras.

Dougie Farr and Mark Griffiths each claimed three wickets.

Ewan Elliott (54) and Charlie Haylet (31) gave Condover a great chance of winning with their second wicket partnership, but Preston Fletcher got them both and went on to claim yet another five wicket haul, this time for 37 runs.

The final wicket fell with Condover an agonising eight runs short.