Shropshire County Cricket League Premier Division

Wem made it two wins from two performances as they beat Madeley by 56 runs in the Shropshire Cricket League Premier Division on Saturday.

The win leaves Wem sitting comfortably in fifth place with Newport and Quatt leading the way having played all three games, whereas Wem sat the first week out because of the weather.

Skipper Sam Peate decided his side would have first go of the track and would have been both happy and nervous with their end total of 186-5 from their 50 overs on a pitch that would have been soaked in the week's rains, plus a slow outfield.

New professional Raj Biswa set the platform a solid score by Wem when he scored a steady 40 from 107 balls, including three fours before he was bowled by Tahir Ahmed.

Fellow opener Harry Chandler was the first man out when he was caught Shaid Javid for 10 off the bowling of Martin Boyle, with one four while Peate did not hang around long, scoring four from 15 balls with no boundaries.

Matthew Cohen then started a mini fightback, scoring 34 from 70 balls with a six as his only boundary before he was dismissed by Gavin Jones, while Martyn Davies was out for a first-ball duck as Ahmed struck again.

But a superb sixth-wicket partnership of 88 between Tom Astley and Steve Blenkinsop allowed Wem to take the game away from Madeley, with the former finishing on a run-a-ball 50 not out, with one four and one six.

Blenkinsop finished on 34 not out from 35 balls with just one four as the pair showed some brilliant running between the wickets.

In reply, Madeley made a solid start, reaching 32 before opener Stephen Pugh who was run out for 10 by Alex Ollerenshaw, who then dismissed Andrew Lloyd at the top of the order for 18.

From there, it was a matter of patience for Wem as only Joe Buttery offered resistance with 40 before he was dismissed by Biswa as Madeley were dismissed for 130.

Meanwhile, the second XI's clash Broseley was called off and the third XI picked up a winning draw against against their counterparts at Madeley.

Marcus Bruce scored an unbeaten 100 while Abdul Khan scored 63 as they finished 265-4dec while Madeley were restricted to 167-6.

On Saturday, the first XI travel to Quatt.

Shropshire Cricket League Division Four

Calverhall belatedly began their season following weather interruptions with a win against Acton Reynald in the Shropshire Cricket League Division Four on Saturday.

After the visiting captain won the toss and put the hosts into bat, Calverhall made a horror start as David Hares was removed first ball of the match, and he was soon followed back by Brad Sumner for two and Andy Green with five as they slipped to 11-3 J Evans (3-57) taking all three wickets.

However, Ben Oakley's fine 37 helped steady the ship alongside Kareem Yarde before being stumped off Dave Langton.

Another wicket fell soon after bringing Chris Rowe to the crease with Calverhall still struggling.

But from there, the pair added an unbeaten century partnership with Yarde finishing 115 not out and Rowe 55 not out ass Calverhall posted 241-5 from their allocated overs.

John Cotton took the other Calverhall wicket.

In reply, Acton Reynold made a solid start with openers P Evans (34) and I Fox (28) adding 50 for the first wicket until Yarde (1-29) bowled the latter and J Evans was ran out for 13.

Bowling changes were made from both ends with Sumner and Oakley introduced, and they duly made the difference.

Sumner finished with a fine set of figures as he claimed 5-29 while Oakley took 1-17, with the sides took wickets at regular intervals to bowl the visitors out for 169 giving Calverhall a winning start and taking maximum points.

Skipper Akeel Ahmed also took a wicket.

Calverhall would like to thank Nemi Dairy as well as New Brew and Green Bespoke Carpentry for shirt sponsorship this season.

On Saturday, Calverhall play Cae Glas, with a north Shropshire clash in Oswestry.

Iscoyd & Fenns Bank

Iscoyd & Fenns Bank were left with a losing draw on heir travels as they faced Cae Glas in a low-scoring affair at Gatacre.

Duncan Wright wont he toss and he gave his hosts first use of the track, which would have been slow and low because the week's rains, and so it proved with Cae las reduced to 110-8 from their 40 overs.

Wright struck an early blow as he bowled Andy Griffiths while Tom Lea bowled Ian Holgate, but George Candler started a mini-fightback when he scored 24 with Ben Hipkiss provided a vital 10.

However, Ray Dale and Tom Wynne chipped in with three priceless wickets as Lea accounted for Candler.

But Matthew Coulson gave Cae a total to bowl out when he was left stranded on 48 not out, running out of overs to complete his 50.

Lea topped the bowling charts with 4-19 from his 12.

Despite four double figures scores in the top six, Iscoyd struggled to reached their target and finished well short short at the end of their 40 overs, missing an innings like Coulson's.

Wynne top scored in the Iscoyd innings with 18 before he was caught off the bowling of Nick Broadbent by Griffiths while he ably supported by Gordon Bebbington before he was run out by Gary Davies for 16.

However, once the pair were dismissed it was down to a last wicket partnership between Dale and Mike Chaplin to see out for the draw as Iscoyd finished 82-8.

This weekend, the first XI hosts Madeley's second string at the John Faulkner Ground while the second XI travel to Cae Glas's seconds.

Prees

Prees were well beaten by Wheaton Aston on Saturday, despite another fine display from Stephen Williams at the top of the order.

Rec skipper Chris Ruscoe chose to set the visitors a target and he started well alongside Williams as he made a rare venture to the top of the order, scoring 32 before he was bowled by Stuart Chick.

That brought Matthew Fowles to the crease and he continued to provide support for Williams with a fine 23 before he was caught by Joe Marson off Richard Smith's bowling.

Williams was next to go as he reached his half-century and pushed in for an excellent 75 before Chick claimed a second wicket and Marson a second catch. Andy Darlington finished 25 not out as Prees settled on 181-5 from 40 overs.

Visiting skipper Nathan Whittingham was the stand-out in Aston's reply, finishing 96 not out they reached their target in the 38th over. Prees face Church Stretton on Saturday.

Coton Hall

Coton Hall picked up a first win of the season in the Shropshire County Cricket League Division Seven in style on Saturday with a nine-wicket victory against Quatt's third XI.

Skipper Alex Cadman decided to give his side something to chase and his bravery at the toss was rewarded when Quatt finished 153-9 from their 40 overs.

Cadman himself took a crucial wicket at the top of the order when he removed danger man Andrew Chapman for 45 from 82 balls, with six fours and one six while Simon Underhill's most crucial wicket from his 3-20 came in removing Finlay Craw for 33,. trapping him lbw.

The other Coton wicket takers among the seven bowlers used were Dan Thomas (2-20), Aiden Rich (1-14), Patrick McBennett (1-17) and Cadman finished with 1-39.

In reply, it was a gentle walk in the park for Coton as the opening pair put on a magnificent stand of 130 before Connor Tinsley was dismissed for 54 off 73 balls, including eight fours, by Harry Northcott.

That brought Cadman to the crease alongside McBennett and the skipper ensure a red inker for himself (17 not out) while the other opener scored 61 not out from 104 balls, with seven fours and two sixes as Coton Hall eased over the line in the 33rd over.

On Saturday, Coton Hall will play Quayside away.

Ellesmere

Both Ellesmere's first and second XI were left kicking their heels as the weather won one of its rarest victories over the weekend, with both clashes called off.

Ellesmere had been due to host Shifnal in Division One but the heavy rain across Thursday and Friday out paid to that clash, while the second XI's trip to Lilleshall also fell foul of the elements.

The third XI lost by 10 wickets at Oswestry on Sunday.

This week, the first XI make the trip to Shrewsbury's second XI as the seconds host Shifnal's fourths.

Malpas

Malpas were beaten heavily by Wistaston on Saturday, going down by eight wickets in Cheshire Cricket League Division Four.

Malpas were bowled out for 27 in 15 overs as only Michael Rae (14) reached double figures in a poor day.

Callum Southall and Jordan Roberts took a wicket apiece as their hosts reached 40 in the 12th over.

On Saturday, they host Trafford Metrovics.