Shelton paceman Sam Griffiths played a starring role as Shropshire lost a thrilling Resource Bank Challenge by two runs to an Invitational XI at Wrekin College.

The two Twenty20 matches – in which the aggregate scores were combined –came down to a final ball thriller yesterday with Shropshire requiring six to win from the last delivery.

Mark Downes made a good connection to send the ball soaring towards the long on boundary but his Wellington club mate, overseas player Simon Khomari, palmed the ball down with the umpires ruling it bounced just inside the rope to restrict the damage to four.

That gave the Invitational side a two run win on a day when more than 500 guests packed into the hospitality tent.

And Griffiths can be delighted with his first ever Shropshire appearance as he took three wickets in each innings after being a late call up for the unavailable Jono Whitney.

“Sam is a bowler who has a lot of potential and could be on our radar in a few years time,” said captain Ed Foster.

Downes and Martin Delaney each supported Griffiths with two wickets as the Invitational XI started the day with 130-8, Leicestershire’s Kadeer Ali making 25.

Richard Oliver then led the way with 37 as Shropshire restricted the first innings damage to 22 as they made 108-8.

The Invitational’s second innings score of 127-9 – Oswestry’s Warrick Fynn top scoring with 23 – left Shropshire requiring 150 for victory.

And after 55 from captain Ed Foster and an unbeaten 51 from Chris Murtagh, the hosts ended on 147-6, Ali taking two wickets for two runs.

MATCH SUMMARY

Invitational XI 130-8 (K Ali 25, S Griffiths 3-26) & 127-9 (W Fynn 23, S Griffiths 3-10, A Gray 2-14, J Mountford 2-29)

Shropshire 108-8 ( R Oliver 37, K Ali 2-11, A Chisthi 2-6) & 147-6 (E Foster 55, C Murtagh 51no, Ali 2-2).

Invitational XI beat Shropshire by two runs