Shropshire’s cricketers soaked up a victory over rivals Cheshire after a mop-up operation helped keep alive their hopes of MCCA Trophy glory.

Hopes of a positive outcome appeared grim throughout the day with persistent, and at times heavy, rain delaying the start at Wem.

Play briefly began at 2pm, but just 7.5 overs play was possible before the heavens opened again.

But a break in the clouds came shortly after 4pm and play resumed at 6.15pm with Shropshire coasting to an eight-wicket victory in a match reduced to 14 overs and affected by Duckworth-Lewis.

With Cheshire having to resume the protracted game at 30-1 from 7.5 overs, Shropshire received a helping hand from the weather – something that captain James Ralph felt was long overdue.

“The last twice we have played Cheshire the rain has cost us,” said Ralph.

“The Wem staff did an absolutely fantastic job to get the pitch playable.

“There were puddles around the wicket about 4pm but they had the water hogs out there.

“The effort put into the get the ground playable was just as important as the performance from the players.”

Steve Taylor made the breakthrough in the brief action possible during the afternoon, bowling Danny Leech for six.

When play resumed, Cheshire opener Warren Goodwin attempted to add some much needed impetus into his side’s innings with 29, but was one of two scalps claimed by Ted Baylis during a tidy spell of bowling.

Cheshire eventually closed on 78-4 from their 14 overs, with the Duckworth-Lewis method setting Shropshire a target of 96.

Nerves may have been frayed when Adam Sydall claimed the scalps of Jono Whitney and Ed Foster, who provided the early momentum, with the score on 31.

But Atiq Chisthi made an unbeaten 30 and offered Ralph support during another exquisite innings from the talented skipper.

He made an unbeaten 45 off 20 balls including three fours and four sixes, clearing the boundary off Dan Berry to win the game for his side with 13 balls to spare.

By JAMES GARRISON