A must win when Shropshire return home

Cheshire batsman Rick Moore again proved a thorn in Shropshire's side as the county lost by 95 runs in their second group match.

Moore scored an unbeaten ton against Shropshire at Oswestry last year and repeated the trick as James Ralph's side tasted defeat at Nantwich.

Shropshire also lost at home to Cumberland in their group opener, with chairman of selectors Brian Foxall saying: "We have made it extra difficult to qualify.

"We can now only get four points but, while it's mathematically possible, you never know. We really need everyone else to start beating each other."

Cheshire opted to bat first and scored freely to post a challenging 329-6 from their 50 overs.

Moore, at No.3, led the way with an unbeaten 130 which featured four sixes and 10 other boundaries.

Dismissed

He put on 142 for the second wicket with opener Warren Goodwin (78) and then 117 for the third alongside Khalid Sawas, who cracked a quickfire 70.

Ben Sanderson was the pick of the Shropshire attack with 2-46 from his 10 overs while there was also some joy for Omar Ali (2-68) and Ralph (2-75).

"It was better than the Cumberland game, but we still bowled inconsistently," said Foxall.

Shropshire, in reply, were eventually dismissed for 234 in the 43rd over.

Shrewsbury opener Steve Leach top scored with 75 from 93 balls, hitting eight fours and three sixes, while Simon Gregory added an enterprising 39 and Ralph 23 down the order.

There was disappointment for the county's two Worcestershire young guns with Ed Barnard falling for 17 and Joe Clarke run out without scoring.