Well bowled Swarbs – Chirk cricket icon reaches a major landmark for the club

Chirk all-rounder Andrew Swarbrick

SHROPSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE – AUGUST 3

DIVISION ONE

Worfield 2nd XI (20) 196-8 Chirk 1st XI (6) 193-7

The remarkable Andrew Swarbrick reached the magical figure of 400 career wickets for Chirk last weekend.

The 35-year-old all-rounder chalked up the landmark in his team’s narrow defeat at Worfield seconds in the Shropshire County Cricket League Division One.

Swarbrick has played for Chirk since 2002 and 384 of his wickets have been taken representing the first team.

He has claimed 13 five-wicket hauls, including a best of 9-8 versus Forton in 2019.

With a career average of 16.51 per wicket, his best total in a season was 48 in that stunning 2019 campaign.

Swarbrick has also notched up 5,229 runs for the club, including seven centuries.

Saturday’s match at Worfield saw Chirk asked to bat and set 193-7 off 45 overs, opener Wynn Jones making 52 and James Carter 36.

In reply, the hosts got home on 196-8 off 40.1. They were 126-8 at one stage, but an unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 70 between Thomas Rees (36 no) and skipper Piers Rouwenhorst (32 no) saw them over the line. Oli Wood (35) and Tristan Wylie (33) added vital contributions.

Swarbrick pocketed 1-17 off nine accurate overs to hit the 400 mark, captain Luke Gardner gathered 3-31 and Oliver Gough 2-33.

DIVISION SEVEN

Chirk 2nd XI (6) 140-8 Acton Reynald (19) 227-7

Chirk seconds lost the leadership of Division Seven after having to settle for a losing draw at home to new table-toppers Acton Reynald.

Just one point now separates the two rivals at the summit.

Put in by the hosts, Acton Reynald piled up a challenging 227-7 off 40, Nick Russell 70, George Collins 3-22 and Dale Randall 2-32 for the North Walians.

In response, Chirk’s overs ran out as they stood at 140-8, skipper Randall 38, Robbie Maund 30, Collins (21 no) and Barry Wilding (15 no) with a good late stand to stave off defeat.