Shropshire were left to rue a middle-order batting collapse as the chance of a first innings advantage was swept away by Berkshire.

The visitors looked set to post a commanding total in the Minor Counties Championship meeting at Finchampstead when they reached 121-1 in the 32nd over, replying to Berkshire’s 328-5.

But they then lost five wickets for 32 runs and were grateful to a gritty half century from St Georges captain Matt Tilt to help them up to 265.

Berkshire were then reduced to 34-2 by the close, a lead of 97 runs with eight second wickets in hand.

That left all three results still possible at the start of the final day’s play, but there is little doubt Shropshire should have found themselves in a stronger position.

Resuming on 43-1 after rain delayed the start by three hours until 2pm, Jono Whitney and Bruce Thomason set about making up for lost time by pushing along the scoring rate.

Whitney made a stylish 79, which included 13 fours, while Thomason belied the fact he had been dropped to the second team at Shifnal with an important 48.

But Thomason’s departure to Bjorn Mordt sparked a cluster of wickets.

Whitney was next to fall when the Bridgnorth man gloved a well-directed bouncer from Steve Naylor to Mordt in the slips.

Andy Gray was then run out somewhat unfortunately, caught out of his ground backing up as James Morris successfully hit the single stump he had to aim at.

And when Atiq Chisthi and James Ralph were dismissed in successive overs from Tom Lambert for 12 and 0 respectively, Shropshire were in desperate trouble at 153-6.

Tilt set about repairing the damage with a fifth half century for Shropshire – he eventually finished unbeaten on 53 – while he received useful support from the tail-enders.

Ted Bayliss made 16 before being bowled by Mordt before Taylor chipped in with 29 as he put on 49 for the eighth wicket with his St Georges team-mate Tilt.

Taylor, Mark Robinson and Michael Barnard all fell to Logan who successfully wrapped up the Shropshire innings.

But Taylor struck twice in the 16 overs Berkshire had to face last night, trapping Michael Roberts leg before with the third ball of the innings before having dangerman James McLean caught at slip at Gray for 19.

By JAMES GARRISON