Shrewsbury’s hopes of becoming only the second Shropshire cricket team to win the Birmingham League premier division are still intact.

The London Road side edged past near rivals Wellington by three wickets with two balls to spare in a thrilling tussle at Orleton Park yesterday.

With Wellington winning the toss and batting first, Shrewsbury earned 24 points for yesterday’s victory to move within 10 points of leaders Knowle & Dorridge – who themselves beat Wolverhampton in the final over – with two games remaining.

“We are still looking for a slip from Knowle & Dorridge but the most important thing is that we are keeping the pressure on,” said Shrewsbury captain Ed Foster.

“All we can do is keep winning.”

Wellington are the only Shropshire team to lift the prestigious title, in 2003 and 2004.

And they could have a big role in this season’s title race as they host K & D on the final weekend.

Meanwhile, there was despair for St Georges as a six-wicket defeat at Cannock yesterday confirmed their relegation with two games remaining.

“The team is in a bit of a transition and a lot of the people who were in the successful side of two or three years ago have stopped playing,” said club spokesman Fraser Watson.

“There are talented youngsters at the club and they have to put this disappointment behind them and come back stronger next year.”