Castle hit top batting form to earn easy Shield victory

NEWCASTLE & Hartshill seconds piled up the runs to progress to the third round of the Talbot Shield with victory over Porthill Park thirds.

- Chris Travers

Porthill Park had been given a reprieve in the opening round after opponents Checkley 2nd XI were found to have fielded an ineligible player.

But they couldn’t make the most of their second chance as Newcastle & Hartshill proved to be too strong.

Castle had one foot in the next stage by the halfway point of the tie after amassing en eye-watering 320 all out.

Joe Wilson led the run spree with 94, which included 16 fours, while Ethan Brown added 47, Vinnie Purcell weighed in with 46 and Jack Wilson struck 34.

Chris Matthews and Daniel Brownsword finished with 3-51 and 3-59 respectively.

Mathew Guest (29), Harry Stubbs (24), Andrew Marriott (15) and Matthew Mason (13) made starts in reply, but Porthill Park were dismissed for 100.

Zak Twist, Richard Parkes, Jacob Maddock and Guy Bridgett all claimed two wickets.

Alsager seconds eased into the next round of the competition with an emphatic win against Kidsgrove.

Hosts Alsager saw Hassan Haleem top score with 89 to set them on their way to 229-5 from their 40 overs.

Haleem stroked 13 fours and one six in his knock, with Billy Strong (36), Wagas Hussain (33) and Alfie Bostock (29no) also impressing. Kyle Knowles took two wickets.

Kidsgrove could only muster 28 in reply as Adil Javed helped himself to 5-15 and Hussain captured 3-11.