Shropshire cricket’s class of 2010 were today urged to grasp their chance of sealing their place in county sporting folklore.

Ed Foster’s side face Lincolnshire in the final of the MCCA Trophy at the Riverside in Durham tomorrow.

It is a golden chance for Shropshire to end a barren run of nearly four decades since they last lifted a trophy.

The only major piece of silverware won was the Minor Counties Championship – and that was in 1973.

Shropshire have been beaten three times in the final of the one-day competition – in 1997, 1998 and 2003 – but are hoping to rise to the occasion in the north east as they bid to make it fourth time lucky.

“It’s a big day and hopefully we can produce the type of performance we are capable of and get the victory,” said captain Foster.

“It’s a good achievement to reach the final and I think we have surprised a few people — but now we are there we want to win it.

“It’s been a long time since Shropshire have won a trophy and all the players are desperate to put that right tomorrow.

“My final message to the players will be ‘good luck and don’t leave anything out there.’

“We have had various people put their hands up at different points of the competition and we need that again.

“But our best chance of getting the win is for all 11 players to put in a performance.”

Life, however, will not be easy for Shropshire as they take on a Lincolnshire side who are in contention for the eastern division title in the three-day Championship format, as well as reaching tomorrow’s final.

Shropshire’s 13-man squad were heading to the north east today and will spend the night at the team hotel some 15 minutes away from the Test Match-hosting venue.

Foster and his fellow selectors will be forced to leave two players disappointed ahead of tomorrow’s 11am start as they whittle their squad down to a starting XI.

Thursday is pencilled in as a reserve day for the final if weather prevents tomorrow’s 50-overs-per-side contest being completed.

By JAMES GARRISON