Village clubs set for Star contest

The county’s newest cricket competition gets under way tomorrow with more than 20 clubs vying for the Shropshire Star Village Cricket Cup.

There is £350 on offer for the winners with £150 for the runners-up in a competition which mirrors the format of the National Village Knockout.

The Shropshire Star has joined forces with the Shropshire Cricket Board to promote the competition which puts the emphasis on some of the smaller clubs in the county.

There are nine first round games due to take place tomorrow - although Ellesmere have been unable to raise a side so their opponents Cae Glas are through to the next round.

The tie of the round sees FBC Manby Bowdler Division One local rivals Wroxeter and Cound clash at the Avenue.

The game has been switched from Cound to avoid a clash with a junior game which is taking place there.

Wroxeter skipper Nick Bevan said he was looking forward to the 40 overs a side competition which ends with a final at Shrewsbury Cricket Club on August 31.

“It’s a great idea and there is a great incentive to win the competition.

Wroxeter finished second in the league last season and have started well this year despite having five new faces to bed in.

Bevan added: “There are four or five teams in the competition who could win it, and Cound are one of them.

“We’ve had some good battles with them over the years - last year we scored 300 against them in one game and lost!”

Cound skipper Matt Jones is looking forward to the game, he said: “Hopefully the weather will be good so we can get a full game in. Wroxeter have a good side so we’ll have to play well to progress.”

The second round will then take place on June 8 with quarter-finals and semi-finals on June 22 and July 13.

The final is scheduled to be played at Shrewsbury Cricket Club on August 31, with a reserve date a fortnight later if bad weather intervenes.

First Round: Corvedale v Acton Scott, Willey v Alveley, Coton Hall v Condover, Ellesmere v Cae Glas, Whittington v Knockin, Hodnet v Calverhall, Montgomery v Guilsfield, Cound v Wroxeter, Forton v Tibberton.

Cleeside, Frankton, Alberbury, Woore, Pontesbury, Allscott and Lilleshall all have a bye through to the second round.