WHITCHURCH skipper Alex Huxley has praised the contribution of pace bowler Dan Bowen following the victory on Saturday which took his side 18 points clear at the top of the Shropshire League Premier Division.

Bowen took the first five wickets to fall and finished with 6-50 as Whitchurch brushed aside the challenge of Quatt – and opened up a useful advantage at the head of the table.

“Dan’s been a key man so far,” said Huxley. “His pace is up and he’s swinging it.”

Bowen, once a regular paceman in the Shropshire Minor Counties team, returned to Heath Road this summer after spells with Shrewsbury and Oswestry.

And he’s taken 21  wickets in the first five games – more than any other player in the Premier Division.

“Dan’s knocked over the early batsmen for the past three weeks, and he sets the tone for us,” added Huxley. “He’s so consistent he gives me the opportunity to rotate the bowlers at the other end – the batsmen don’t have chance to settle.”

*For a full round-up of North Shropshire cricket, see this week's Whitchurch Herald.