Future bright in Shropshire's youngsters

They had to share the silverware this year, after a final day defeat in the annual four-team round robin competition saw Cumbria join them at the top of the standings.

But team manager Robin Case was encouraged by the overall performances during three days at Shrewsbury School.

The development squad, which take players mainly aged 17-23, contained a mix of established performers including a handful who have graced the county senior side, as well as several new faces.

And Case said: "The blend is pretty healthy. Shropshire is regarded highly among the Minor Counties.

"Youth cricket is quite well organised and the fact that four or five of the squad play for the senior side shows that development works.

"But there were also some pleasing performances from newer members of the side.

"Our two spinners, Henry Davies and Vansh Bajaj, both took wickets and I was also pleased with Pat Phillips (Whitchurch) and Bradley Thornton (Allscott), our two medium-pace bowlers.

"They were all new to the team while wicketkeeper Luke Tinsley (Formby) also impressed. He has potential with the bat and impressed behind the stumps. He is definitely one for the future."

The first day's play was marred by a waterlogged pitch and Staffordshire and Lincolnshire had to settle for a point each for an abandoned game.

But Shropshire won a low-scoring game against Cumbria to lead the table thanks in large part to some fine bowling.

Phillips (Whitchurch) took three wickets as did spinners James Shaw (Shifnal) and Bajaj (Whitchurch) to restrict Cumbria to 98.

The Shropshire batsmen then made heavy weather of the Cumbria spinners, but a steady 30 from Matt Gregson (Oswestry) saw them home by two wickets.

With the pitch still unplayable on day two, the Cumbria-Staffordshire game was moved to Wrekin College, where Staffordshire struggled to 190, which Cumbria knocked off with relative ease.

Meanwhile, Shropshire took on Lincolnshire who scored 242, but were eventually beaten with three overs to spare.

The Shropshire spinners, led by Davies (Shifnal) with 3-44, did the damage, and their batsmen always looked in control.

It came thanks to 82 from Ross Aucott (Wolverhampton), 83 not out from Ryan Lockley, (Bridgnorth), who Case said was the side's stand-out batsman, and 33 from Tom Weston (Bridgnorth).

Shropshire needed to overcome Staffordshire on day three to win outright while a defeat would give Cumbria a chance to share the spoils if they beat Lincolnshire.

Cumbria won their game relatively early in the day, chasing down a modest Lincoln score of 140.

At that juncture, with Lockley (61) and Weston (42) batting well, it looked as if Shropshire would claim the trophy.

But just when they tried to accelerate, they faltered, despite 24 not out from skipper Shaw.

Some naive middle order batting cost them dearly in the end and Shropshire were dismissed 31 runs short of their victory target of 228.

Case said that his team were disappointed not to have won the competition outright this year.

But he added that the tournament had been well-Shroreceived and would be repeated next summer.