Market Drayton entertained third-placed Wroxeter last Saturday at the start of the second half of the Shropshire Cricket League Division One season.
Drayton were looking to build on some impresseive recent performances and were asked to field first. Drayton’s opening bowlers got off to an excellent start as Sam Allen and Jesse Thompstone maintained their discipline.
Late swing from Thompstone left the Wroxeter openers Pigeon and Collinson struggling and after Pidgeon was put down at cover, Thompstone removed Collinson for three.
After an uncertain knock, Wroxeter number three Tom Shaw was also out cheaply and Thompstone struck again to leave Wroxeter 55-3.
Skipper Bevan, batting at number five, took the fight to Drayton after the break and began to attack the bowling as he looked to increase the scoring rate.
He raced towards 50, before John Upton made the breakthrough and bowled fellow batsmen Pidgeon.
Nigel Wellings, on his return to the club, also joined in the action removing Paul Massey and Robin Fern cheaply. Bevan however continued his aggressive knock until he was caught by Alex Partridge off Sam Allen, leaving Wroxeter 183-7 at the end of their 40 overs.
In-form Drayton openers John Upton and Paul Martin started well but Upton was soon caught in the gully for nine.
This brought Wellings to the crease who and the pair saw Drayton to 75-1 at drinks. When Wellings was caught at long off for an excellent 46, Drayton were on 110-1 with 76 runs needed. Joined by young Steve Wild, Martin brought up his 50 before Wild departed lbw for six.
Thompstone was then run out by a fine piece of Wroxeter fielding and Drayton required 45 runs from six overs.
Entering the 36th over with 32 runs needed, Bevan was swept for a boundary before Martin was adjudged lbw for a fine 74. As Drayton continued the chase, Sidwell and Will Evans both fell to Bevan but Chad Roberts saw Drayton to 175-7 off the final ball of the game to fall eight runs short and take 11 points from an exciting draw.
This Saturday, Drayton travel to Llanidloes.
Market Drayton IIs travelled to Guilsfield in Division 5 and played out a draw in a rain effected match.
Drayton won the toss their bowlers immediately went on the attack. Piers Bond was the first to take a wicket in his second over but in his fourth over, he had to leave the field through injury. Dorian Richardson bowled well in his absence without taking a wicket.
Darren Kent came into the attack and with a number of catches going down Guilsfield racked up the runs. Skipper Charles Harrison (1-25) kept the run rate down while Bond returned to pick up quick wickets.
This was not one of Drayton finest fielding performances andGuilsfield inishiedon 177 for 9.
Drayton lost their wicket keeper to their first team but stand-in keeper Bruce Harris had a fantastic game, taking five catches and producing three run-outs.
The game was called off in due to rain in Drayton’s second over as both sides collected eight points.
Tomorro Market Drayton IIs welcome Overton-on-Dee.
