CRICKET: By George! Collins shines with bat and ball as Chirk 2nds battle for draw
SHROPSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE
DIVISION ONE
Chirk 1st XI (4) 129-10 Shifnal 2nd XI (24) 166-10
Chirk sit one place off the Division One basement after Saturday’s defeat at Holyhead Road to high-flyers Shifnal 2nd XI.
After bowling the third-placed visitors out for a modest 166, the North Wales side must have felt reasonably optimistic of claiming a victory.
Skipper Liam Walker picked up 4-46 off 14 overs and Luke Gardner snared 3-46, Matt Lawrenson, Habibullah Ahmadzai and Mark Shaw taking a wicket apiece.
Despite some good starts from all top five batsmen, no-one could go on to make that all-important big innings for Chirk, who were dismissed for 129.
James Carter did best with 25 for the hosts, whose last five batsmen all fell cheaply.
Matt Denver scooped 3-20 for the visitors, who took the points 24-4.
DIVISION SEVEN
Guilsfield 2nd XI (17) 275-5 Chirk 2nd XI (7) 184-5 – DRAWN
George Collins collected three wickets and top-scored with the bat for a Chirk seconds side which secured a draw at The LHG Oval.
Put into bat, Guilsfield 2nd XI amassed 275-5 off 40 overs, Rupert Shingler top-scoring with 109, Jinil Thilakan 54.
Opening bowler Collins picked up 3-63 off 12 overs, including bowling both openers.
Chirk seconds replied with a battling 184-5 off their 40, Collins completing a fine match with 45 not out, Harry Lunt 39 and skipper David Lunt 37.
Chirk remain bottom of the eight-team table with Guilsfield third.