Morris’ major batting effort
Remarkable batting by Shropshire Under 15 Boys skipper Matthew Morris saw his side to an unlikely one wicket victory over Cricket Wales (North) at Norton-in-Hales.
The Welsh side had won the toss and batted first and finished their 40 overs on 183-6 with Morris picking up 2-25, George Davies 2-22 and Lakin Illeperuma 2-33.
In their reply, Shropshire seemed to be in dire straits as they were reduced to 19-5 early in the reply.
But Morris, batting at no 5, stood firm and some of the lower order managed to stay with him as he hit 138 off just 106 balls to steer his side to victory with nine balls and last man Davies alongside him.
Coach Tyler Ibbotson said: “As wickets continued to fall around him, he remained composed, controlling the tempo and soaking up the pressure.
“It was a knock that transformed an impossible task into one of the most memorable wins for the team.
“It was an unbelievable innings from Matthew – pure class and maturity beyond his years. At 19-5, it looked like we were out of the game, but he stuck to his plan, took the responsibility, and played one of the best knocks I’ve seen at this level.
“Credit to the lads for digging deep and finding a way! it wasn’t easy, but they showed incredible fight.”
The Under 14 boys also claimed victory in a low-scoring thriller when they entertained Leicestershire at Wellington.
They bowled the visitors out for 111 with Ralph Davies taking the bowling honours with 4-17 off his nine overs, while Freddie Barker claimed 3-20 and Hugo Bebb 2-13.
Shropshire also found batting tricky, but a vital fourth wicket partnership between Jake Adams (41) and wicket-keeper Harry Harrison (39) helped them to a two-wicket victory.
They backed it up with a 26-run victory in their next game against Buckinghamshire at the Ascott Estate.
After winning the toss and batting first, they finished their 45 overs on 147-8 with Reuben Kundu leading the way with a patient 42 off 96 balls.
The bowlers then got to work with Barker claiming 3-25, Ralph Davies 3-19 and George Jenkins 2-15 as the hosts were dismissed for 121.
The Under 13 Girls claimed two T20 victories when they took on North Wales Under 14s in a double-header at Whittington.
Batting first in the opening game, they finished their 20 overs on 146-8 with opener Ava Mainwaring hitting 25, Gouri Cherukuri 29 and Iris Burton 23 not out.
In the reply, they bowled the Welsh side out for 92 at the end of the 19th over to claim victory by 54 runs with Zara Tomkins claiming 2-8, Mainwairing 3-6 and E Nixon 2-14.
In the second game Wales batted first and were restricted to 82-8 from their 20 overs with Anabelle Burton claiming 3-11 and Mainwairing 2-11. They knocked off the runs for the loss of three wickets.
The Under 11 Boys claimed a 67-run victory when they took on Packwood Haugh School in a pre-season friendly.
Batting first, Shropshire posted 138-4 off their 20 overs with skipper Will Jones hitting an unbeaten half century and Leo Ruck 40.
Packwood were then dismissed for 71 with Henry Leach claiming 4-14, Billy Anders 2-5 and Freddie Bebb 2-9.
The Under 18 girls found themselves out powered when they faced Worcestershire in the first round of the Girls One Day Knockout.
Batting first, Worcestershire racked up 401-8, Freya Jones leading the attack with 3-49 off her nine overs. Mille Parry’s 85 off 83 balls was the standout for Shropshire in their reply as they were bowled out for 176.
