Shropshire’s cricketers today made an encouraging start in their quest to end nearly four decades without a major trophy.

Ed Foster’s side had restricted Lincolnshire to 33-1 after 10 overs in the MCCA Trophy one-day final at Durham’s Riverside ground.

And they claimed the prized wicket of dangereous left-handed opening batsman Dan Birch during the early exchanges.

The former Derbyshire man had been averaging 90 in the competition before today.

But he managed just six before edging Steve Taylor behind into the grateful gloves of wicketkeeper Matt Tilt in the eighth over.

That was a just reward for a strong start from St Georges’ Taylor who bowled a probling length on a good surface which offered plenty of pace and bounce.

At the other end, Shrewsbury’s Mike Barnard took the new ball on his return to county duty after a six week absence through injury.

And, after bowling leg side wides with the first two balls of the match, he settled into an encouraging rhythm.

Shropshire had one half chance to dismiss the other Lincolnshire opener Martyn Dobson, but a run out attempt from professional Chris Murtagh at mid off narrowly missed the stumps with the batsman well short of his ground.

Shropshire captain Ed Foster had earlier lost the toss which took pace in glorious sunshine after early morning drizzle in the north east.

But there was disappointment for the two Whitchurch members of the 13-man squad – batsman Richard Oliver and seam bowler Dan Bowen – who were both left out of the starting XI.

Shropshire, backed by a healthy contingent of supporters who had made the long trip north, were aiming to win only the second major trophy in their history – and the first since lifting the Championship in 1973.