2026 SCCL Premier Division Round Up Week 10
By Jamie Dowley
Quatt extended the lead in an uninspiring round of games, while at the bottom just 4 points now separate 4 teams.
An independent SCCL panel chaired by executive officer Nick Broadbent has determined that the Allscott v Wellington game, abandoned on 6th June by the umpires due to a dangerous pitch, will be replayed on August Bank Holiday, with the venue reversed to Wellington. In addition, Allscott will receive a 10pt penalty.
On the field it was Quatt who marched onwards at the top, their lead is now up to 36 points after an 85 run win on the road at Shelton. Batting first, overseas pro Nipun Karunanayake made his first league half century with 58, while Todd Henderson and Tom Whitney struck 25 in a team total of 206-9. That it wasn’t a higher score was down to some sterling work from the home bowlers, with Navindu Vithanage starring with 3-53 from 15 overs and Ross Griffiths supporting with 3-54. The Quatt attack would still have been confident of defending such a score, and Dan Handley proved that confidence to be justified with a superb spell with the new ball reducing the hosts to 51-5. Pabel Saha and Ryan Cumming attempted to shore up the innings, but when Saha was dismissed for 38, the innings petered out to 121ao. Handley with 5-41 the star, while Scott Furber as consistent as ever with 2-24.
Ludlow travelled to Madeley with both teams desperate for a win, but it was Luke Miles’ side who emerged victorious by 132 runs after producing a comprehensive performance. An outstanding opening partnership of 213 between Nathan Engelbrecht and Sam Edwards was only ended in the 46th over when the South African pro departed for 104, and that allowed Miles to hit a rapid 31no to push the score at the close to 254-2, with Edwards batting the full 50 overs for 75no. The Madeley reply never amounted to much despite a solid 42 from Andrew Laycock, and 20 from Sam Davis was the only other score of note as the home side were shot out for 122 inside 28 overs. Joe Williams (pictured) was back to his best with 5-28 while Luke Palmer and Josh Bowen took a brace of wickets apiece. Ludlow now has breathing space to the bottom sides and are up to 7th.
Allscott Heath are suffering a month to forget as they came off very much second best at home to St Georges, who but for points deductions would be hard on the heels of Quatt. Electing to bat first, Allscott lost early wickets to the primed Dragons attack, Shaf Fiaz striking 3 times, before the impressive Ali Mustafa carried on the good work with 3 wickets of his own. Kuldeep Devatwal, who is going through a sticky patch by his own incredibly high standards was run out for 25, from which point the innings petered out to 110ao. Fiaz with 3-26, Mustafa 3-27 and Babar Khan with 2-7 all impressing. St Georges were never likely to drag their run chase out too long, Mohammed Aqeeb with 35 was the base, Charitha Kumarasibngh (29) was the filling and Zab Safi with 10no off 2 balls to win it was the icing as the Dragons got home by 5 wickets despite Devatwal doing his best with 3-32 to stem the runs.
The big North Shropshire derby between Whitchurch and Wem was missing the added spice of the appearance of Dan Bowen on his old ground, the Whitchurch title winning captain of 2024 was paraded in the week as a Wem player but was unavailable for this encounter. His new teammates weren’t particularly missing him as the 3 man Wem attack produced an excellent display in front of a sizable contingent of away supporters. Alex Ollerenshaw led the attack with vigour, once again bowling 15 overs unchanged and with excellent support from Tom Astley kept the home batters quiet in the early exchanges. The introduction of Ralph Davies produced a false shot from in form Mike Robinson as he departed for 22 and from that moment Ollerenshaw and Davies wreaked havoc, the former ending with 5-42 while the young off-spinner took 4-41. Only Muhammad Fahim with 27 added significantly to the home score of 117ao. Wem’s batting has been suspect in recent weeks without Abhishek Reddy, and they gave Whitchurch several chances in the field which weren’t taken. Harry Astley (26) and Josh Gough (20) showed good intent, but despite a fine spell of 4-49 from Kashif Hussain, Matt Cohen saw the job home with 17no for a 5 wicket win that once again secured local bragging rights for Wem.
Shrewsbury 2nds made it back to back wins and a big one at that as they took 24pts from the trip to Newtown. On a day when the county town club marked the loss of club legend Welder Davies who passed away this week, it was fitting that all 3 Shrewsbury sides won, none more clear cut than the 167 run accrued in Mid Wales by the 2nds. Batting first, Ed Prideaux, perhaps harshly dropped by their 1sts after top scoring last week, had a point to prove and struck an excellent 82, while former Whitchurch youngster Wilf Peers made 69 and Kieran Gill struck 29. The Newtown attack was shorn of Sam Baugh, the former Shropshire all-rounder has returned to Bridgnorth, and without Baugh they struggled to contain the flow of runs although Griff Davies (2-35) and Jordan Baijnath (2-71) stuck at the task. The home reply just never took off, no batsman reached 20 and as in 5 of the 6 games yesterday the losing side were dismissed for a low score, here it was 118ao. Ryan Fernando was the star bowler with 5-12, and the maximum points earned by his side has lifted them up three places and set the relegation fight alight.
Finally, Sentinel hosted champions Wellington and emerged with a credible losing draw in a game that showcased the battling, attritional cricket that is rarely seen these days in a world of sixes and strike rates. Batting first away skipper Dan Vaughan continued his recent form with a season's best 81, and while Jason Oakes made 29 and Hugh Morris 24no the team total of 228ao was nothing exceptional in the face of a highly effective home slow bowling attack. James Shaw controlled things with 2-29, Alex Johnson again shone with 3-50, while leg spinner Matty Cliffe justified his selection with 4-41. Shropshire under 16 captain Matthew Morris (2-22) struck early in the home reply but when Ed Ashlin joined Tom Griffiths at 60-3, the pair steadied the ship until Griffiths departed for a patient 43. On a pitch highly conducive to spin, Matt Simmonds and Jason Oakes exercised threat and control, and when Ashlin departed for a season's best 50, the game was still in the balance. That it was left to Jacob Binnersley to entertain with 35no and Jonny Evans frustrating the bowlers at the other end, Sentinel saw it through to end on 208-7 and a 13-10 points split in Wellington's favour, which will please Ed Ashlin far more than Dan Vaughan.
Next week sees Quatt travel to St Georges in what could be a key test for Jamie Lunn’s side. Pass that and they will reach the halfway stage with the SCCL title theirs to lose.
Before that on Thursday it’s the Quarter Final of the Premier 100, with the marquee game at Church Rd where St Georges entertain defending champions Wellington.
