MCCA Championship

Devon v Shropshire

17-19 August 2008                                         North Devon CC Instow

Shropshire won by 153 runs

Devon 4 points Shropshire 20 points

For their final Championship match of the seaon Shropshire travelled to picturesque Instow in North Devon to take on their traditional rivals Devon. Shropshire made one change from the previous game with Wales, young Michael Barnard giving way to the experoenced Adam Shimmons. Sadly the weather played a significent part in the proceedings once again, with rain regularly halting play.

Shropshire won the toss and decided to bat, a decision that was immediately vindicated by John Maunders and Jack Shantry compiling an opening wicket stand of 46. Shropshire then lost both openers and Ed Foster, before Atiq Rehman and Rob Foster rescued the innings with a 4th wicket stand of 126. When Foster was out for a well made 67, Rehman continued his good form, putting on 60 with Bruce Thommason and a quickfire 40 with Adam Shimmons. When the Shropshire innings close on 348 for 9 from their 90 overs, Rehman was 158*, his second score over 150 this season. Of the Devon bowlers, Ian Bishop took 4 for 82 and Robbie Newman 4 for 47.

With the rain causing so much disruption, the captains agreed to forfeit Devon's first innings and Shropshire's second, leaving the hosts to score 349 to win. After losing an early wicket, Sandie Allen and James Hudson added 93 for the second wicket, both scoring 64. However, one they were out, the in form Andy Gray scythed through the middle order, as Devon lost 5 wickets for 15. The rest of the batting had little answer, as Gray continued his excellent personal season with the ball, finishing with an outstanding 8 for 55, to end the season as the leading wicket taker in the Championship. Devon were all out for 195 in 71.2 overs, as Shropshire ended the season in style.

Even this result failed to help, as Shropshire ended 6th in the Western Division, a huge disappointment given the high hope they had at the start of the season. Rain again played a big part in too many matches, but the Shropshire batting, apart from Rehman, had a brittle look about it, and the bowling relied too much on the outstanding Andy Gray.

Umpires             J James and P Matten

Scorers              R Tozer and C Green