D40s slip to defeat in opener
Cricket Shropshire D40 squad opened their ECB Pursuit challenge with a five-wicket loss to a young but talented Yorkshire IIs side at a sunny Allscott Heath CC.
The perennial problem over availability reared its ugly head yet again as two late cry-offs (one in the morning) meant that Shropshire could only field 10 players.
These included two S9 players and former skipper Shaun Rigby who helped out at the last minute, not having played for two years.
Skipper Adam Marshall won the toss and decided to bat. After a slow but steady start, Shropshire reached 115-9 in 31.1 overs with Adam (28), Shaun (11) and Ewan Woodhouse, a very mature 30 runs under pressure, the main run scorers.
Yorkshire reached their victory target in 25 overs. Oli Harrison again impressed with an aggressive bowling spell of 2-17 and Shaun pitched in with 2-39.
Coach Graham Furber said: “Despite being one short in the field, we worked really hard to try to contain our opponents, with excellent ground fielding from Evan Pickford and wicketkeeper Rab Cooper contributing two fine high catches.
“Our sincerest thanks to our hosts for their excellent hospitality and to umpire Peter Maltby. We are also grateful to Luke Clark who stepped into the breach to accompany Peter and to Scott Winton who helped Ellen Hassall with the scoring.”
The next game is the return game v Yorks at Higham CC, near Barnsley on May 10 with hopefully an improved availability situation.