MCCA Knockout

Shropshire v Cumberland

  Sunday 11 May 2008                                    Shrewsbury Cricket Club

Shropshire won by 64 runs

Shropshire 2 points Cumberland 0 points

Shropshire's third game in the Group stages of the MCCA Knockout against Cumberland was a "must win" match for both teams. Shropshire made two changes from the team which lost to Cheshire. Steve Taylor replaced Bruce Thommason, whilst Mark Robinson was preferred to Asif Sultan.

On a hazy morning, visiting skipper Marcus Sharp won the toss and asked Shropshire to bat. Batting was not easy to start with, but John Maunders and Ed Foster battled to 34, with Foster hooking Dan Conway for six in the 4th over. Conway had his revenge when Foster lost patience and was caught at mid on for 14. Two overs later, an out of sorts Jono Whitney was bowled by Stuart Burrows. Atiq Rehman joined Maunders and they patiently got the innings back on track, putting on 67 for the third wicket before Rehman and Duncan Catterall were both adjudged LBW in quick succesion. Skipper James Ralph, as usual. looked in excellent form, stroking a run a ball 28, in  helping Maunders add 51. At 166 for 5 with 12 overs remaining, Shropshire needed to accelerate. This they did, with the impressive Maunders, making his home debut, assisted by Steve Taylor and Andy Gray taking the final score to 245 for7. Maunders hit a chanceless 132* in  147 balls, a model example of how to construct an innings.

The Cumberland reply was always behind the clock due, in the main to some excellent bowling from Steve Taylor (3 for 18), Ed Bayliss (1 for 30) and Andy Gray (3 for 32). They were backed up by Duncan Catterall, Jack Shantry and Mark Robinson. Only former Durham batsman Gary Pratt (49) really looked comfortable, as the Shropshire fielding ably supported the bowlers. Ed Foster again impressed behind the stumps, whilst Atiq Rehman took 2 excellent catches in the gully.

This win put Shropshire's hopes of a Quarter Final spot back on track, but their joy was dented by the news that Oxfordshire had defeated the previously unbeaten Cheshire to leave the Group very much in the air. Shropshire will have to beat Bedfordshire next week, and hope other results go in their favour if they are to progress.

Umpires     J Wilkinson and A Hicks

Scorers      CLW Barthorpe and G Minshaw