Bridgnorth’s struggles continued on Saturday as they fell short in another run chase away from home, meaning they now lie tenth in Shropshire League Division One.

This was particularly frustrating given the start made by the Cricket Meadow men, after Ian Gregory struck with the first ball of the game after Frankton had won the toss and elected to bat first. Three further wickets in the opening salvos then saw the hosts rocking at 43-4, before the middle order dug in to stage a fightback.

Despite Bridgnorth’s spinners best efforts, further breakthroughs proved hard to come by as home captain Thomas Welti led the way with 56, before the seamers returned to finish off the job they’d started in the closing overs. Gregory (4-35) and Lewis Hurdley (4-53) both starred with the ball, whilst Pete Scott took the only wicket to fall to spin.

The reply then started at pace as Gregory continued his recent vein of form, before wickets started to fall around him, and when adjudged leg before for 21, Bridgnorth had slipped to 37-3. But Sam Baugh then chose to counter-attack, and with support from Ross Hurdley and Adam Binfield, the total climbed to 111-4 and a much needed win seemed within comfortable reach.

Baugh then fell for a 36-ball 46, before Scott was unluckily caught at midwicket as his shot looped up off his pad. Enviable batting depth then saw Matt Martin join Binfield as the pair calmly knocked the ball around to edge closer to the target. But another bit of bad luck saw Martin given out when looking set, before Bridgnorth were dismissed 24 runs short of their target with seven overs remaining.

Bridgnorth II (235-6) lost to Frankton (236-1) by nine wickets

A flamboyant maiden century from Dileep Sagar was not enough for the second team to continue their recent run of form, as visitors Frankton chased down 236 on an excellent batting surface at Cricket Meadow.

After losing four early wickets, Sagar and youngster Marcus Thompson combined as a dynamic and watchful duo to bring their side right back into the contest. Ultimately producing a 161-run fifth-wicket partnership, Thompson was eventually caught out for a well-made 55, his second half century of the season and first at this level, whilst the irrepressible Sagar raced to a memorable first hundred.

Neil Johnson (28 not out) then added a further rush of runs at the end of the piece, as Bridgnorth finished on 235-6 off 40 overs, but knowing a strong effort would now be needed in the field.

However, the visitors made a rampant start as the openers hit a flurry of early boundaries, as the Cricket Meadow bowlers struggled to gain control. Their 212-run stand at the top practically ended the game as a contest, before Ethan Osborne-Welch was rewarded with the sole wicket to fall.

Bridgnorth III (200-6) lost to Newtown (201-4) by six wickets

For the second week in a row, the third team’s match went down to the final ball, but on this occasion Newtown snuck over the finish line by the barest of margins.

After being asked to bat first, Bridgnorth’s youthful batting line-up showcased their potential as Sam Laver-Pearson and Isaac Lunn both batted with maturity beyond their years to bring up well-deserved maiden senior fifties. Marcus Thompson then upped the ante with a rapid 35, but as the home side struggled to accelerate in the second half of the innings, a final total of 200 off 40 overs appeared just below par.

Despite the loss of an early wicket, Newtown’s made a steady start in their reply and were comfortably in control at the drinks break. But a second breakthrough from Ollie Shinebaum, followed by tight spells from Alfie Proctor and Lunn put the game right back in the balance.

However, another flurry of boundaries from opener Powell again saw the visitors seemingly back in control, before a late wicket from skipper Alex Thomas and a maiden 39th over from Ethan Osborne-Welch saw four runs still needed from the last over.

Three dots from Bhanu Muthirevula was followed by the middle stump being knocked over as a dramatic final swing saw all results possible. But further extras and a scampered bye off the final delivery saw the visitors slide over the finish line with arms outstretched.