Shropshire skipper James Ralph believes tomorrow’s MCCA Trophy clash with Cheshire at Neston is a “must-win” game if his side are to keep their destiny in their own hands.The weather was the only winner last week, as the clash with Oxfordshire at Wem was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

With Cheshire getting off to an impressive start against Bedfordshire, Ralph insists there is now little margin for error.

“It really is a must-win game for us,” the Shifnal batsman declared. I think we have to get something out of it if we are to progress.

“If we lost then we could still get through by winning our other two games as long as Cheshire went on and won theirs too.

“But we’d be relying on other people’s results then, and we don’t want to put ourselves under that kind of pressure.

“We want to keep it in our own hands.”

Ralph is only too aware of the danger Cheshire pose, having seen them win the Minor Counties western division last season as well as finishing runners-up in this competition.

“They’ve always been a strong side,” he added. “They’re a competitive team and they won quite easily against Bedfordshire last week so they’re clearly in good form.”

The Shropshire captain was frustrated last week at shaking hands on an abandoned game with his Oxfordshire counterpart, only to see conditions brighten up.

“The decision was made at 3pm but it improved then and we could have started at 4pm so, with hindsight, I wish we’d persuaded the umpires to hold on a little longer.

“It’s a game we’d have liked to have won and probably would have won if we’d got it on.

“Fortunately, I think the forecast is a little better for tomorrow.

“It looks like there will be a few showers but hopefully we’ll be able to get out there and get a game on.”

By Chris Hudson