Hoppers claim Champions Challenge Cup
A quick-fire century from Craig Heath led the way as Grasshoppers retained the Shropshire Mid-week Championship Challenge Cup with victory over Church Eaton at Allscott Heath CC.
The game, first played last year, brings together the champions from the two mid-week leagues in Shropshire – The Shrewsbury & District Evening League and the Furrows East Shropshire Mid-week League.
With dark clouds looming, the game was reduced from the usual T20 to 16 overs aside.
Hoppers skipper Lewis Evans won the toss and his decision to bat first was certainly justified as openers Nick Bateup and Heath took the attack to Church Eaton.
Bateup smashed 75 off 36 balls before he was dismissed leaving Heath to take centre stage.
With an over left in the innings he was on 82 and at the non-striker’s end
A single off the first ball saw him take the strike, and he proceeded to hit a two and then three maximums off the final four balls to reach three figures.
His unbeaten 102 came off 46 balls with nine boundaries and seven maximums – including a couple into the new estate over the road from the ground.
Hoppers finished on 212-2 with Arran Peasley holding his nerve amidst the carnage to claim both wickets to fall.
In the reply, Peasley top scored with 22 and Zeekhird Hainf hit 20 as Church Eaton made 89-9 in their reply.
For Hoppers the wickets were shared around all six bowlers with Connor Glendinning leading the way with 3-22 and Evans claiming 2-16.
Ray Collins, Chair of the Shrewsbury & District Evening League, presented the trophy to Hoppers skipper Evans.
He said: “Thank you to Allscott Heath for allowing us to use their pitch for this showpiece game.
“Thanks also to umpires Dave Nock and Colin Wetherley-Mein and scorers Chloe Walmsley and Matthew Goddard for helping everything to run smoothly.
“Congratulations to Grasshoppers for retaining their trophy and also to Church Eaton for making the Championship Challenge Cup after winning the Furrows Mid-week League.
“Unfortunately they came up against a Hoppers team which has been in good form all season – especially the opening batters who took the game away from them early on.”