Chirk’s cricketers continue great start to season – Partridge flies to stunning ton

Chirk CC’s first team have made a varied start to the 2024 Shropshire County Cricket League Division One season with two wins, a draw and a pair of defeats.

However, with results on the upturn, the North Wales side are up to sixth in the table as after losing their first two, they have scooped 58 points from their last three outings.

Meanwhile, Chirk 2nd XI have begun the season in fantastic form in Division 7, with four wins and an abandoned game on their record.

Here is a rundown of the season to date

CHIRK 1ST XI – SHROPSHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE DIVISION 1

Saturday, June 1

Ellesmere 1st XI (3) 199-9 Chirk 1st XI (20) 200-2

Gareth Partridge struck a phenomenal 151 not out as Chirk romped to an eight-wicket victory at The Birch Road Arena on Saturday.

The former Welsh Premier League footballer proved his worth with a cricket bat too as he rattled up a century-and-a-half off just 97 balls, smashing 18 fours and eight huge sixes.

Despite chalking up such a big total, however, it is not a career-best score for the 32-year-old, who cracked an unbeaten 171 for Chirk at Gresford back in 2013.

It was a sixth senior century for Partridge, and he also passed the 5,000 career runs mark in all matches in the process.

According to Play Cricket, Partridge made his senior debut for Chirk with the 2nd XI back in 2004, so is in his 20th year with the club.

Ruabon-born Partridge is a former Wales Under-17 football international and ex-Shrewsbury Town professional who signed for WPL club Newtown in 2010 and went on to represent Denbigh Town, plus Cefn Druids and Rhyl FC.

Saturday’s game at Ellesmere saw Chirk win the toss and put the hosts into bat.

Tom Davies top-scored with 92 as the home side posted 199-9 off 45 overs, Liam Walker taking 3-50, Luke Gardner 2-43 and Andrew Swarbrick 2-59 for the visitors.

Opener Partridge then put on 152 for the first wicket with Oliver Gough (23) and a further 43 alongside Walker (12).

Chirk made it to 200-2 off just 29.3 to complete a 20-3 points success with Partridge very much the hero of the day.

May 25

Chirk 1st XI (18 pts) 228-7 Cound 1st XI (5) 145-9 – DRAWN

Gareth Partridge hit 83 and Liam Walker 71 to ensure Chirk set a mighty target for Cound to chase at Holyhead Road.

Partridge and Walker put on 109 for the second wicket as the home side amassed 228-7 off 45 overs.

Cound clung on desperately for a draw at 145-9, Oliver Gough grabbing 3-36, Walker 3-49 and Luke Gardner 2-24 off 14 for the hosts.

May 18

Chirk 1st XI (20) 184-8 Worfield 2nd XI (5) 183-10

A first win of the season for Chirk – but it was a close-run thing at Holyhead Road.

Visitors Worfield seconds were put in and managed a decent total of 183 all out, Andrew Swarbrick 4-27 and Liam Walker 4-48 for the home side.

In reply, Chirk got home on 184-8 in 48 overs, Mark Shaw (35 not out) and Swarbrick (34) with key knocks, Wynn Jones (22), Walker (21) and Simon Rickett (21) adding very useful runs.

May 11

Bomere Heath (24) 288-10 Chirk 1st XI (5) 134-10

Two century-makers punished Chirk’s decision to put the hosts into bat at Bomere Heath.

Ryan Lockley made 112 and Isaac Wallace 100 for the hosts, who piled up 288 all out from 43.1 overs.

Luke Gardner claimed 5-83 and Andrew Swarbrick 3-56 for the North Wales side, who could only muster 134 all out in response, Swarbrick 38 and Oliver Gough 25.

Chirk were beaten by 154 runs and 24-5 on points.

May 4

Wroxeter & Uppington 1st XI (23) 174-7 Chirk 1st XI (2) 69-10

A batting disaster on the opening day of the 2024 season for Chirk at The Avenue.

Invited to bat, the hosts set 174-7 off 45 overs, Luke Gardner 4-51 and Liam Walker 2-34 for the visitors, who were then rolled over for just 69, skipper and No11 Gardner hitting a spirited 26 not out.

CHIRK 2ND X1 – 2024 TO DATE

Chirk seconds have made a superb start to 2024, currently sitting second in Division 7 after four wins and an abandonment.

June 1

Chirk 2nd XI (20) 182-5 Guilsfield 2nd XI (4) 139-9

Connor Dyke’s superb 90 not out ensured Chirk seconds set a winning total at Holyhead Road.

The hosts made 182-5 off 40 overs after being put in, wicket-keeper Gary Bailey adding 29.

Dyke then grabbed 2-10 as Guilsfield were limited to 139-9 in reply, Andy Jones 2-18 and George Collins 2-34.

May 25

Ellesmere 2nd XI (5) 110-10 Chirk 2nd XI (20) 134-8

Captain Dale Randall led the way with 43 as Chirk posted a score of 134-8 off 40 overs after being invited to bat.

The North Walians then dismissed Ellesmere seconds for 110 to record a 24-run triumph, Connor Phillips 3-17, Nigel Davies 2-16 and Martin Wright 2-19.

May 18

Acton Reynald (11) 81-0 Chirk 2nd XI (7) 120-10 – ABANDONED

The weather probably saved Chirk seconds from defeat in north Shropshire.

Winning the toss and opting to bat, the visitors were bowled out for 120, captain Dale Randall the leading performer with 49.

Acton Reynald were 81-0 off 11 overs in reply when the weather intervened and forced an abandonment.

May 11

Chirk 2nd XI (20) 250-4 Chelmarsh 1st XI (2) 97-10

Gary Bailey hit a career best 95 not out as Chirk seconds recorded a thumping victory over their visitors.

Calling the coin correctly and electing to bat, the hosts amassed 250-4 from 40, opener Rob Williams contributing 56 and Chris Hughes 36 no.

Chelmarsh were then blown away for 97, Nigel Davies 4-7, Barry Wilding 2-11 and Carl Woosman 2-32.

May 4

Chirk 2nd XI (20) 171-9 Cae Glas 2nd XI (7) 129-10

Skipper Dale Randall struck a dominant 96 in Chirk’s score of 171-9 off 40 overs, which they put together after being asked to bat.

The hosts then produced a good all-round bowling display to dismiss the opposition for 129, Randall 2-8, Harry Roberts 2-17, Martin Wright 2-19 and Chris Hughes 2-42,