Shropshire & Herefordshire’s quest for an elusive Midlands League title has suffered an early blow before a ball has even been struck.

A trio of the brightest young talents from the two counties – Jonathan Gidney, Oliver Farr and Mark Trow – have all been ruled out of the opener against Derbyshire a week tomorrow.

They are involved in the Welsh Open Youth championships at the Vale of Llangollen.

Gidney has shown plenty of early season promise in major tournaments, including an 11th place finish in the Brabazon Trophy at Trevose last week.

Farr is a member of the Welsh squad while Trow is back home for three months having completed his second year of an American golfing scholarship in Memphis.But captain Nigel Chesters remains confident his team can overcome the loss of three of the main protagonists.

“Mark, Oliver and Jonathan are all excellent players but the squad has got a really strong feel to it,” said Chester.

“I’m happy with the way it is shaping up and looking forward to getting started.”

Chesters’ appetite for the season has no doubt been whetted by two friendly victories, the second of which came against Cheshire seconds at Market Drayton last week without Farr and Gidney.

The morning foursomes gave S & H a healthy 4-2 advantage before the 12 singles were shared in the afternoon as the hosts ran out overall 10-8 winners.

“They said it was their second team but their best player had a handicap of plus two and their worst was playing off one,” said Chesters.

“It was a great test for us and I was really pleased we managed to continue our winning ways.”

Full results (Shropshire & Herefordshire first)

Foursomes: Mark Trow & Ashley Chesters beat Ed Parker & Alex Hogben 4&3, Andy Stephenson & Jamie Brittain beat Kevin Kean & Ian Davie 1up, Kris Williams & Tim Roberts beat James West & Adam Willis 4&2, Tom Benbow & Sam Breakes lost to David Hird & Tom Boys 1 down, David Gojka & John Janicki halved with Chris Harrison & Jon Little, Nigel Chesters & Barry Ruddick halved with Martin Thomas & Josh Evans.

Singles: Trow beat Davie 5&4, A Chesters beat Parker 4&2, Brittain lost to Hogben 3&2, Stephenson lost to Kean 2&1, Williams beat Wills 1up, Roberts beat West 2 &1, Benbow lost to Boys 1 down, Breakes beat Hird 3&2, Janicki lost to Harrison 3&2, Gojka lost to Evans 4&3, Ruddick beat Thomas 4&3, N Chesters lost to Little 1 down.