Shropshire v Oxfordshire - match report
James Ralph and debutant Tom Home pulled Shropshire out of the mire and steered them to the top of the Western Division.
Shropshire conquered Oxfordshire by five wickets at Banbury for their third Minor Counties Championship success of the summer following wins against Wiltshire and Dorset.
Bridgnorth batsman Ralph followed up his hard-hit century knock of 124 in the first innings with an unbeaten 93 as he and Shifnal youngster Home helped steady the ship after a mini batting collapse.
While wicketkeeper Anthony Parker (43) lashed the winning runs over the ropes for Shropshire, it was their No.5 and No.6 batsmen who were rightfully taking the plaudits.
They came to the rescue, sharing a fifth-wicket partnership of 100, after Oxfordshire had turned the screw with former Middlesex seamer Chad Keegan taking three early wickets.
Omar Ali and George Collins headed back to the pavilion cheaply while Rob Foster went for a duck after he was trapped in front by the home skipper. With Keegan's counterpart Richard Oliver (30) being stumped as he threatened to get into his rhythm, the Cats appeared to be pawing tamely at their target of 244 as they slumped to 70-4.
But veteran Ralph's stylish strokeplay pushed the run rate along on a fast outfield and Home stayed the course with a carefully compiled 44, until he was eventually trapped lbw by Richard Kaufman.
Parker then moved Shropshire within sight of victory with some trademark thrashing seeing him despatch seven boundaries, the last of which arrowed through cover to clinch a five-wicket success shortly before 6pm.
Earlier, Ben Sanderson had made the most of the new ball to remove teenager Lloyd Sabin who was proving more than a thorn in the flesh for the visitors.
The Oxford MCC Universities batsman kept the hosts in contention by taking his overnight score of 117 to 155 before he was clean bowled.
Sanderson went on to despatch Keegan, but middle order man David Smith posted 53 and tailender Francois Vainker proved a nuisance as he hung around for 53 balls to add 22 to a final total of 401.
Shropshire are next in Championship action a week on Sunday when they host Cornwall at Shrewsbury, but before then they will be bidding for a place in the final of the MCCA Trophy against Hertfordshire at Harpenden this Sunday.
