D40s slip to defeat against Cheshire
Cricket Shropshire’s D40 side slipped to a frustrating defeat when they entertained high-flying Cheshire at Shelton CC – one of the county’s disability hubs.
Cheshire had won their two opening games of the campaign by big margins with a much-improved squad following some shrewd recruitment.
Shropshire skipper Shaun Rigby won the toss and elected to bat.
At 126-3, and with James Wojda (44) and Steve Emson (38) both looking good, a score of 200 plus looked well on the cards. But when Steve was run out, Shropshire slumped to 166 all out in 37.4 overs.
In reply, Shaun opted to open with his two spinners James (2-20) and Steve (0-16) and they certainly made scoring difficult, stalling Cheshire a little at 45-3.
But an excellent stand of 117 between opener Josh Brown (67 not out) and Nathan Gee (69), the latter unfortunately being dropped on 0, took the visitors to within five runs of victory.
Shropshire then took three quick wickets to suggest what might have been, but Cheshire secured a well-deserved victory without further loss and with just over three overs to spare.
Coach Graham Furber said: “Our thanks to umpires Wyn Williams and Mr P. Brown (a parent of one of our opponents and an ACO member who kindly filled in).
“Cheshire now deservedly top the table and we travel to Darley Abbey CC on Sunday, June 16, to take on Derbyshire and try to get our season back on track.
“Our thanks also to Jan Griffiths, Alan Roberts and all at Shelton CC for their excellent hosting of the game.”
