Cricket: Heartbreak for Chirk 1st XI as they fall just short of victory, but Collins stars as 2nds win emphatically

SHROPSHIRE CRICKET LEAGUE

DIVISION TWO

St George’s 2nd XI (20) 210-8 Chirk 1st XI (10) 209-10

Chirk came so close to victory at St George’s last Saturday only to lose out by a single run.

Winning the toss and choosing to field, the North Wales side produced a steady bowling effort to limit the hosts to 210-8 off 45 overs.

Oliver Gough claimed 2-27, Nick Flack 2-38 and Nitish Sharma 2-41, while no-one scored a half-century for St George’s whose batting card comprised a group of useful rather than spectacular knocks.

In reply, Chirk were going great runs on 116-2 and 170-4, but then a series of losses left them struggling to reach their target.

It still looked promising at 200-8, but the last two wickets only produced nine runs.

The standout batsman for the visitors was Gough, who carried his bat for a determined 94 not out – his top score for the club.

Skipper Flack added 30 and Simon Rickett 26, but the travellers fell just short.

DIVISION EIGHT

Chirk 2nd XI (20) 58-3 Cae Glas 2nd XI (2) 57-10

George Collins produced his best bowling figures as Chirk seconds made light work of visitors Cae Glas at Holyhead Road.

Put into bat, the Oswestry-based travellers were blasted out for just 57 in 29 overs, Collins producing an excellent spell of 4-9 off eight, Rob Williams grabbing 2-3 and Chris Hughes 2-6.

In response, despite early losses Chirk seconds reached a winning 58-3 in just 12.1 overs, Rob Williams guiding them home with an unbeaten 31.

FIXTURES – SATURDAY, MAY 16

Division Two (12.30 pm): Shelton 2nd XI v Chirk 1st XI

Division Eight (1 pm): Chirk 2nd XI v Prees 1st XI