Regional success for CTS STREET sides
Cricket Shropshire’s Chance to Shine Street sides returned from the regional finals with medals after a successful day in Wolverhampton.
Trow ton sets up Over 50s 2 XI win
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.
Dropped catches costly for D40s
Cricket Shropshire’s Disability D40 side were left to rue dropped catches which cost them the chance of victory over Yorkshire at Norton-in-Hales.
New competition has it taped
A new initiative from Cricket Shropshire has seen indoor Tape Ball competitions staged at Shrewsbury Sports Village.
Urban Games sessions in half-term
Cricket Shropshire will again be part of Telford & Wrekin Council’s Urban Games during the Whitsun half-term break next week.
There are two free sessions planned at the Multi-use Games Area in Brookside, Telford, near the Windmill Primary School on Wednesday, May 28, and Thursday, May 29, both from 1-3pm.
There is no charge for the sessions which form part of the wider Urban Games programme, just turn up on the day.
For more information about Cricket Shropshire’s community programme, contact Community Officer Sacha Lee via sacha.lee@cricketshropshire.co.uk
Girls Softball Festival at Shelton
Our next Girls Softball Festival of the Summer is at Shelton CC on Sunday, June 8.
Join Shropshire’s Disability sides – with the chance of an England call!
Cricket Shropshire’s Disability D40 side are looking for new recruits from league cricket in the county to help them in their 2025 campaign.
And it could lead players to an appearance in a prestigious national competition featured on Sky Sports and England recognition.
It’s an exciting time to get involved in disability sport which has become increasingly popular since the London Olympics in 2012 across a range of disciplines.
This year Shropshire’s D40s are competing in the Northern section of the Quest competition and are up against First Class counties such as Lancashire and Yorkshire.
“It’s not about what’s different. It’s about what’s possible.”
Coach Graham Furber said: “This really is top class competition in one of the best leagues in the country.
“We’re up against cricketers who are regulars in the Disability Premier League and also England players – so the standard is really high.
“We feel there are players out there playing regularly in the top divisions of the Shropshire League who may be eligible to play for us in the D40s.
“So we are encouraging them to get in touch and we can have a chat about them getting involved in the games which are competitive but played in a friendly environment.
“It really is a high standard of cricket – and could result in them being selected to play in the Disability Premier League, the final of which is televised live on Sky each season.
“And, of course, that ultimately could lead to England recognition.”
The county’s disability set up is also looking to recruit new players for their S9 side.
Shropshire has a great record of producing players who have gone on to play in both the Disability Premier League and have also had England recognition in recent years.
Shaun Rigby, Adam Marshall and Kev Baker have all played in the DPL, while Shropshire’s James Wojda has also been involved in the competition in a coaching capacity.
Kev was part of the winning team two years ago and took a spectacular catch in the televised final on Sky Sports at the County Ground at Derby – it also went viral on social media.
Teenager Oli Harrison is a member of the England and Wales Transplant cricket squad, while Matty Bailey is a regular in England’s Deaf squad.
Cricket Shropshire Lead Officer Steve Reese said: “The ECB and Cricket Shropshire are committed to increase the profile of disability cricket, with England Disability looking forward to a seven match IT20 mixed disability series against India this Summer.
“It will bring together players with learning disability, physical disability and hearing impaired.
The highlight will be on Wednesday 25th June where on MCC’s Disability Day, England and India will play at Lord’s where the hosts will be seeking revenge following defeat in the Physical Disability Champions Trophy Final in January against India.”
Anyone interested in getting involved can fill in the form HERE.
Or they can contact Cricket Shropshire via info@cricketshropshire.co.uk
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.
Women’s XI bow out of T20 cup
Cricket Shropshire’s Women’s XI were left to reflect on what might have been as they bowed out of the Vitality T20 Women’s County Cup after defeat by Northamptonshire.
Festival fun at Worfield shows affiliation package at work
The new Affiliation initiative launched this year by Cricket Shropshire aims to bring together schools and clubs to boost the game across the county.