Batsmen shine but Chirk miss out on victories

SHROPSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE – JUNE 4, 2022

DIVISION ONE – top six

Shelton 2nd XI (8) 165-7 Chirk 1st XI (17) 245-9
Match drawn

Chirk are up to third in Division One after getting much the better of a drawn encounter at The John Faulkner Ground on Saturday.

Put into bat, the North Wales side amassed 245-9 off 45 overs, opener Liam Walker leading the way with 76 off just 52 balls, including 13 fours and two sixes.

Walker formed a 70 stand for the second wicket with Jonathan Phillips (17) before the visitors slumped from 106-1 to 119-4.

Andrew Swarbrick then took centre stage with 49 from 34 deliveries, hitting seven fours and a six, sharing in a partnership of 67 with James Carter (24).

George Collins then produced some great late hitting, ending up 39 not out off 40 balls, having struck seven fours.

Chirk’s total was certainly a good one and they then limited Shelton to 165-7, the hosts avoiding defeat thanks to an undefeated 102 from Jack Morris.

In the bowling, Phillips picked up 3-27 for the away side, who dominated the points 17-8.

DIVISION SIX

Chirk 2nd XI (6) 177-10 Lilleshall 2nd XI (20) 179-5

The lack of a major innings cost Chirk 2nds an imposing total at Holyhead Road.

Despite a few batsmen getting starts, no-one was able to move on, and the hosts were dismissed for a modest 177, having been put into bat.

Gary Bailey (28), Jay Patel (26 not out) and Stephen Conner (23) all made useful knocks, but top-scorer for the home side was extras with 35.

Simon Millington scooped 4-44 and Marcus Clayton 3-38 for Lilleshall.

In reply, the visitors made it to 179-5 in 39.1 overs skipper Richard Barge 73 no and Clayton 49 no.

Owen Hopwood collected 3-24 and Conner 2-28 for Chirk 2nds, who lost out 20-6 on points.