Shropshire Star

Ed Foster sparks Shrewsbury win

Ed Foster enjoyed a good all-round day as Shrewsbury moved up to fourth in the Birmingham League Premier Division with a 27-run victory over West Bromwich Dartmouth.

Published

In a rain-affected clash at Sandwell Park, the visitors triumphed courtesy of the Duckworth/Lewis method.

After being reduced to 45 overs per side and then further cut by 10, the visitors reached 164-7 after being put into bat. Foster top scored with 40, with vital contributions from Tim Ward (29), Will Parton (25) and Dillon Pennington (24).

Chasing a revised total of 169, Dartmouth were dismissed for 141 in 34.1 overs, with Foster this time among the wickets, taking 3-20. Henry Blofield claimed 4-17, while Brinder Phagura top scored with an unbeaten 32.

The win puts Shrewsbury 11 points ahead of WBD, with Knowle & Dorridge, Berkswell and Ombersley above them.

Four of the six matches in Division One were abandoned, three of them without any play, at all.

Wellington were 56-4, having been four down for 22, when their game at Tamworth was abandoned after 21 overs, James Wagner on 26 after James Rudge and Josh Bowker had claimed two wickets apiece.

Jack Mackintosh did the damage as Barnards Green skittled out Shifnal for just 84 at North End Lane. Mackintosh took 5-28 as Barnards Green moved to second in the table behind Smethwick.

In a game reduced to 35 overs, the hosts totalled 123-9 after being put in, Charlie Home the main instigator, taking 3-21.

Bridgnorth moved off the bottom of the table with a six-wicket win at Leamington Spa via the DLS.

Ross Hurdley took 3-35 for Bridgnorth as Leamington were bowled out for 158 after being asked to bat. Sam Whitney and Cameron Wallis were also among the wickets, claiming two scalps each, although Bridgnorth did bowl 19 wides.

Alex Mellor top scored for Leamington with 29.

An unbeaten 53 from Ryan Lockley eased Bridgnorth to a revised total of 134-4 in 25.1 overs. They had been 0-1 when David Exall went first ball.

Lockley and Ian Gregory (18 not out) put on 49 to ensure Bridgnorth took the full 20 points.