Cricket: Chirk’s first team win and lie second, 2nd XI lose despite great battle

SHROPSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE – REPORTS JULY 2

DIVISION ONE

Chirk 1st XI (20) 158-5 Cound 1st XI (4) 157-7

A swashbuckling 73 not out from Gareth Partridge guided leaders Chirk to a five-wicket win which keeps them second in Division One.

After winning the toss, home skipper Luke Gardner put visitors Cound (pronounced Coond) into bat – and it proved a sound decision.

The Shropshire village side, based on the west bank of the River Severn, were limited to 157-7 off 45 overs, opener Dan Tudor best with 65, the opener sharing in a third-wicket stand of 97 with skipper Joe Yapp (35).

Jonathan Phillips snapped up 3-47 for the hosts, Mark Shaw, Gardner and Nick Flack claiming a wicket apiece.

Liam Walker (34) and Wynn Jones (19) formed an opening partnership of 53 for Chirk, who then lost three quick wickets before Partridge took command, his 73 coming off just 63 balls and including six fours and five sixes.

The hosts reached 158-5 in 34.5 overs, Calum Marsh 4-45 for the visitors.

DIVISION SIX

Cound 2nd XI (24) 210-6 Chirk 2nd XI (8) 209-10

Chirk seconds remain bottom of Division Six despite putting up a great battle at Cound, where Dale Randall starred with an outstanding 84.

The Welsh visitors won the toss and opted to bat, scoring 209 all out off 39.4 overs.

Opener Randall’s effort was the stand-out knock, but there was a decent supporting role from Stephen Conner (35).

For the hosts, Graham Trow pocketed 4-44 and Robert Chandler 4-49.

Cound’s match-winner was head and shoulders above the rest – opener Farrell Waters hitting 130 not out, his second highest career score.

Trow added 36 for the home side got to 210-6 in 37 overs, Martin Wright a fine 4-40 for Chirk seconds, who made a real game of it.