CRICKET: By George! Collins shines with bat and ball as Chirk 2nds battle for draw

George Collins performed well with bat and ball for Chirk seconds. Picture: BRIAN EADON – many thanks

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.