Category: Seniors

The Shropshire Seniors AGM (Over 50s & Over 60s) will be held at Wroxeter CC on Thursday, October 30, from 7pm.

The 2025 cricket season may only just be coming to a close – but Shropshire’s Seniors sides are already planning ahead for their 2026 campaigns.

Shropshire fields two sides for both Over 50s and Over 50s age groups playing regular competitive cricket against their peers across the country.

Initially the cricket is played on a regional basis but thereafter, assuming the teams qualify for the latter stages, the opposition can be as far afield as Cornwall or Durham.

The Over 60 matches are generally played on a Tuesday, whilst the O50 matches take place usually on a Wednesday. There can be between six and 15 matches a season for each team depending on the success levels.

Shropshire Seniors Chair John Foster said: “Those who take part extol the virtues of regular competitive cricket for the senior age groups and look forward to the continued friendships which team sports generate. 

“Players don’t need to have played Minor Counties cricket in the past or indeed Premier League cricket. 

“It doesn’t matter what you used to be able to do, what matters is what you can do now. We need players who are fit, mobile and want to commit to playing regular cricket during the week.

“If you have, or know of, any players either at your club or another within the county (or indeed someone who has recently hung up their boots!) who may be interested in taking part next season, please pass get in touch.”

They can contact John or either Loll Woodhall (Over 60s) or Carl Ward (Over 50s) – via the email addresses below. 

John Foster: seniorcricket@cricketshropshire.co.uk

Loll Woodhall: lollwoodhall@hotmail.com

Carl Ward: cward@citylearningtrust.org

Mark Downes hit a brilliant century for Shropshire Over 50s when they made the long trip to Stockton CC to take on Durham in the knock-out stages of their national competition.

Shropshire’s Over 50s 1st XI maintained their push to extend their season in the ECB 50+ Championship with a four-wicket victory over Staffordshire.

Adam Shimmons smashed 97 off just 67 balls to help Shropshire Over 50s to a 21-run victory over Gloucestershire at Shifnal CC.

A late blitz by Ian Davies helped Shropshire Over 50s claim a two-wicket victory over Worcestershire at Shrewsbury CC.

Another century from John Foster was not enough to see Shropshire Over 60s to victory over Worcestershire on an excellent batting surface at Bridgnorth CC.

A century from opener Graham Trow laid the foundation for a 42-run victory for Shropshire Over 50s 2nd XI in their first competitive game of the season when they hosted Worcestershire at Bridgnorth CC.

Cricket Shropshire’s Over 50s launched their 2025 league campaign with victory over Herefordshire at Eastnor CC.

Skipper Adam Shimmons won the toss and decided to take first use of the deck on a warm day and saw his side make a solid start despite the early loss of Bryan Jones.

Mark Downes then built partnerships with Dave Good (30) and Mark Jones (48) as he smashed 88 off 76 balls before he was bowled attempting to press the accelerator at the end of the innings.

But Shimmons took on the mantle to hit a quick-fire 47 off 40 balls to boost the Shropshire total to 246-5 off their 45 overs.

Herefordshire’s steady reply saw them build to reach 150 before the second wicket fell in the 33^rd over.

But excellent fielding and bowling from Shropshire saw Shimmons (3-46) and Shane Gwilt (2-21) rip out the middle order with Downes chipping in with the important wickets of the in-form batters on his way to 2-33 from his nine overs.

It meant the hosts finished on 212-9 to give Shropshire victory by 34 runs.

The Over 60s came close to claiming victory in their opening game against Staffordshire at Burslem in the National 60+ Division 1 Midlands.

They suffered an early setback after being asked to bat first when Martin Chambers suffered a back spasm and had to retire hurt.

But John Foster (70) and Peter Hayes (84) then combined in a 117-run second wicket partnership to set the platform for the rest of the innings. They finished on 205-5 – with the feeling in the camp might be slightly below par.

The ten men then battled hard in the field with debutant Richard Upton taking his first wicket for Shropshire as the hosts reached 62 in the 12^th over.

Tim Cotton, returning to the fold after an injury lay-off, then struck three times and Keith Higgins claimed 2-35 to turn the screw and leave the game in the balance.

The hosts managed to sneak across the winning line with three balls remaining to claim victory by three wickets.

The Over 60s 2^nd XI hosted Worcestershire at Forton and were asked to bat first, Paul Humphreys providing the cornerstone of the innings with 56 out of an eventual total of 128.

The Pears knocked off the runs for the loss of just one wicket, claimed by Dave Watkins.

Shropshire’s Senior sides (Over 50s and 60s) continue their preparations for their 2025 season with outdoor nets this week.