It was in doubt until the final ball – but a ding-dong Minor Counties Championship struggle between Shropshire and Herefordshire finally ended with honours even at Eastnor.

Despite the loss of more than 100 overs to the weather during the three days, both sides came within a whisker of a memorable victory in a pulsating encounter.

Set a target of 197 for victory yesterday, Herefordshire ended just eight runs short of securing success.

And Shropshire were also left wondering what might have been after they claimed nine of the 10 second innings wickets they required.

St Georges seamer Steve Taylor, who like spinner Andy Gray claimed four second innings scalps, had four balls at the final pair but couldn’t secure what would have been the decisive wicket.

That such a thrilling finale was possible was remarkable in itself.

More than 60 overs were lost on the opening day on Sunday, while there was further frustration yesterday as overnight rain left the bowlers run-ups saturated and resulted in play being delayed until 1.45pm.

When the action eventually began, Shropshire’s hopes of adding to their overnight lead of 139 were dented quickly when Taylor was caught in the gully by Dan Bassett off Will Rudge off the third ball of the day.

But late cameos from Anthony Parker and Matt Tilt, 25 and an unbeaten 28 respectively, brought the declaration from Shropshire captain James Ralph.

That left Herefordshire requiring 197 in a minimum of 42 overs and the hosts had made a steady start to reach 29-0 before Taylor struck twice in three balls to dismiss Ben Stebbings and Henry Langford.

A partnership of 50 between Harshad Patel and Dan Bassett saw the game swing back in Herefordshire’s favour, only for the latter to be adjudged leg before by Atiq Chishti for 32.

That was to prove the signal for a mini-collapse from Herefordshire who slumped from 79-2 to 96-6 as Gray took three middle order wickets.

The Cidermen’s Captain Chris Boroughs and Chris Powell halted the slide and, with six overs of the match remaining, Herefordshire required 74 to win.

Powell sprung into action by smashing Gray for two huge sixes and then hitting Taylor for 14 off the next over. Taylor ended Powell’s fun with an excellent caught and bowled before Rudge became the eighth wicket to fall – and Gray’s 10th victim of the match.

But the drama continued as Boroughs sustained the late assault to leave Herefordshire requiring 13 off the last over.

The Herefordshire skipper was then caught at long on by Richard Oliver off Taylor for 48 as the tension built and the game took a further twist.

But neither side could force the most dramatic of victories and a nip-and-tuck fittingly encounter ended in a draw.

By JAMES GARRISON