Newtown relegated as cricket heads into final weekend

16/09/2026 @ 12:44

Newtown have been relegated from the Shropshire Premier League after two years in the top flight following their final match of the season which was abandoned on Saturday due to rain.

Nothing less than a big win was needed to beat the drop, but their fate was sealed by the weather when Wem were on 128-3.

There is still one match to play in the other leagues, but Montgomery will face the drop from Division One after their home match with Wellington II was also abandoned early on.

Guilsfield & Llandrinio’s bid for second place in Division Three fizzled out in the damp gloom of their LHG Oval following a disappointing defeat to Shifnal III, who batted first and made 142-9 from their reduced 25 overs. Nasir Uddin took 3-26.

Only Matt White made any progress in reply, making 33 as the villagers were dismissed for 72.

Welshpool produced a strong performance to beat Wellington III by 83 runs after posting 197-8 in their 30 overs. Mat McWhinnie finished unbeaten on 60 while Mat Sherwood (47) and Dan Cadwallader (42) also contributed. The visitors could only muster 114-3 in reply.

Newtown II will go up as champions of Division Four after bowling Church Stretton out for just 143 chasing their 178-7.

Ian Hancocks (47) top scored for Newtown but it was the bowlers who did the damage with the in-form Riley Bellamore (5-30) and Mike Bellamore (3-18) producing superb spells to clinch top spot.

The title was settled after Llanidloes were frustrated by the weather at home Allscott Heath, leaving them 24 points behind their neighbours.

Welshpool II suffered a five-wicket defeat in a low scoring Division Five match after making just 58 at Madeley II.

Guilsfield & Llandrinio II are set for life in Division Seven after suffering an eight-wicket defeat at Much Wenlock. Skipper Garry Foster (35) and Garry Lewis (28no) put on a last wicket partnership top boost the villagers first innings score to 156 all out. But it wasn’t enough.

Elwyn Turner hit 72 as Montgomery II continued their strong second half of the season with a dramatic one-wicket win at Wellington IV who had set a target of 176-6. Tom Corfield took 4-27.

Sunday’s action came to a conclusion with Newtown III finishing sixth following their 18-run defeat at Allscott Heath III.

Riley Bellamore made it two five-wicket hauls for the weekend with 5-18 as the hosts were dismissed for 159, but Newtown’s response fell short.

Llanidloes II will also finish a respectable sixth in Division Four in their first season after winning by nine-wickets at home to Shelton IV who were restricted to 120-9.

The weekend's final matches

Division One

Worfield II v Montgomery

Division Three

Church Aston v Welshpool

Albrighton v Guilsfield & Llandrinio

Division Four

Iscoyd & Fenns Bank v Llanidloes

Newtown II v Priorslee

Division Five

Welshpool II v Cae Glas

Division Six