Shropshire Star

Returning Shrewsbury duo star with the bat

Shrewsbury manager Trevor Sheperd has praised the impact of the returning Joe Leach and Ed Barnard following the team's winning draw at home to Walmley in the Birmingham League Premier Division.

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Leach had been a doubt because of his county schedule with Worcestershire earlier in the week while Barnard's commitments with Shrewsbury School had ruled him out of much of the campaign so far.

But both were available on Saturday and they scored 73 and 54 respectively to help Shrewsbury make an impressive 278-7.

Ed Foster (70) also contributed admirably and Sheperd was delighted with his side's total after they had lost the toss and been inserted on a damp wicket.

He said: "It was a really good performance. To get 278-7 on that wicket was fantastic.

"We lost an early wicket but Ed Foster and Joe Leach really dug in and really battled through it, and Ed Barnard also batted beautifully."

Leach also took 2-32 while Sam Griffiths took 4-34 to restrict Walmley to 193-8.

The result saw Shrewsbury move into seventh place.

In Division One, Shifnal's Mohammed Ayub helped his team move clear of the relegation zone with an unbeaten century in their losing draw at home to Wolverhampton.

Ayub scored 124 not out as the hosts made 239-8 in response to the visitors' 271-5.

Wolverhampton's former India Test batsman Wasim Jaffer had earlier scored his third century in three games hitting 110, while Karl Quiney scored 58 and Tom Fell added 41.

Shifnal's Jonty Mountford was the pick of the home bowlers with 3-61 while Andy Bowyer was even more explosive for the visitors, taking 5-53.

A fine half-century from Alex Huxley could not prevent Oswestry slipping into the drop zone following their seven-wicket defeat at league leaders Ombersley.

Huxley struck 67, including five fours and a six, off 118 balls but Jason Smith (3-42) and Neil Slade (3-50) combined to help dismiss Oswestry for 154.

In response, Herefordshire opener Liam Gwynne hit 67 and Worcestershire's Gareth Andrew finished unbeaten on 61 as Ombersley chased down their target in the 37th over.

Wellington, eighth, claimed a losing draw at home to third-placed Bromsgrove thanks in part to a knock of 52 from Sam Lloyd and some fine bowling from Dan Lloyd (4-46).

Despite his efforts, Bromsgrove eased to 240-8 at Orleton Park with Jayden Levitt (60), Alexei Kervezee (50) and Ash Newdick (49) leading the charge. But Wellington responded well to close on 158-9 to take a share of the spoils.

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