Nightmare carries on for sorry Shropshire
Shropshire's nightmare few days continued on the first day of the final game of the Unicorns Championship Western Division season.
Reeling after a 24-point deduction last week, they were dismissed for just 59 in the 29th over against Wiltshire at Devizes.
Opener Richard Oliver was out for a duck and Ross Aucott, Omar Ali and Henry Blofield were also dismissed without scoring.
Oliver's fellow opener Stephen Leach (19) was the top scorer. In reply, Wiltshire racked up a score of 334-9 from 77 overs.
Productive with the bat were Patrick Greishaber, who got 56 from 83 balls, and Will Wade, who hit 71 from 112 balls.
Shropshire spinner Blofield claimed 3-90 with the ball.
His teammates to claim wickets were Sam Griffiths (2-79), David Wainwright (2-78), Alex Wyatt (1-39) and James Ralph (1-29).
Before the deduction, Shropshire were top of the division and skipper Steve Leach and his men knew a win would clinch the crown.
The deduction was made due to former Derbyshire player Scott Elstone – a cricketer previously registered with a first-class county – not being registered by Shropshire for the 14-day period necessary to feature in the fifth or sixth rounds of the Unicorns Championship.
The county had to forfeit the 24 points won in beating Cheshire by 70 runs.
The punishment dropped them from top to third – 19 points behind new leaders Berkshire and 14 points adrift of second-placed Cornwall – heading into the Wiltshire game.
Shropshire were 275 runs down heading into play today.
