Over 50s claim victory over Pears
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 33rd 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 12th 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 2nd 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.