Shropshire Cricket league Premier Division

WHITCHURCH are up into fifth spot in the Shropshire Premier Division after they thrashed Bomere Heath on Saturday.

Batting first, Daniel Bowen’s men set a challenging total of 210 to win as they worked hard to reach 209-9 from their 50 overs.

New boy Andy Jones kept up his great start at Heath Road by scoring a second consecutive 50 with a patient 67 from 101 balls with four fours and one six, as he occupied his crease to ensure runs were made.

Whitchurch started well, putting on 32 for the first wicket before Matthew Batkin fell for 16, caught off Andrew Oliver’s bowling.

Fellow opener Vansh Bajaj followed shortly after bringing Salim Ahmed to the crease, and he and Jones shared a fine 87-run partnership before Ahmed was caught by Henry Preece from Harry Bolland’s bowling for 42.

His score took 81 balls with three fours.

Jones added the next 20-plus runs before he was then stumped off Tom Ellis’ bowling but Bowen would have been concerned that his side went from 175-5 to 209-9.

Ellis’ 3-30 from 10 overs was the pick of the home bowling.

However, any concerns Bowen would have had soon disappeared as Bomere struggled to make a start to their innings.

Nadeem Ahmad stuck first, removing Bolland for a duck while Henry Preece was bowled by Aatif Ali for one as the hosts were reduced to 7-2.

That soon became 14-4 with both bowlers adding one more to their total.

But Bomere fought back with a 56-run fifth-wicket partnership between Chris Edenborough and Jonathan Clifton but the former was caught behind by Jones off Ijaz Yousaf’s bowling for 18.

From there, Bajaj hoovered up the tail and Bomere were dismissed for 112 in the 29th over. Bajaj topped the bowling charts with 4-15 from 3.4 overs.

Meanwhile, an unbeaten 148 from Ed Watson-Jones set up the second XI’s win at home to Beacon’s second string on Saturday.

He and Eddie Lewis, having dropped down from the first team, put on a huge first-wicket partnership as Whitchurch finished 236-6 from their 45 overs.

Three wickets apiece for Molly Batkin and Mike Ellis saw Beacon bowled out for 68, including six ducks in the heart of their innings.

Jack Giddings and Chris Brothwood took the rest.