Shropshire Over-60s reach final
A SUPERB unbeaten century from skipper John Foster steered Shropshire Over-60s to the final of the national Knockout for the first time in their history with victory over Oxfordshire at Shrewsbury.
They will play Essex in the final on Sunday, September 10, with the neutral venue yet to be arranged.
Former Shrewsbury and Shropshire skipper Foster won the toss and asked the visitors to bat first under grey skies on what looked like a good pitch with a fast outfield.
Although the run rate was kept in check with Andy Parkyn going for only 21 from his nine overs, Oxfordshire made steady progress.
Openers Ian Caunce and Derek Watts had put on 98 before Peter Hayes came into the attack and claimed both their wickets in quick succession on his way to figures of 2-28 from his nine overs.
Oxfordshire then tried to accelerate, but with Tym Fern picking up 2-34 and Elwyn Jones chipping in with three wickets, they were restricted to 214-7 from their 45 overs.
With Andrew Clarke dismissed cheaply in the reply, skipper Foster was joined at the crease by Elwyn Jones, and the pair took the score on to 84 before the latter was dismissed for 27 by Andrew Wingfield Digby.
He then struck again immediately to trap John Hemmings leg before so Foster was joined by wicket-keeper Alan Denver who helped take the score on to 114 before the latter was bowled.
When Barry Managh was then run out with the score on 141, Shropshire still needed 64 to win with the skipper unbeaten on 81.
But Foster was in full flow by now and he found an able lieutenant in Hayes whose first scoring shot was a boundary. The pair steered Shropshire to victory with three overs to spare as the bowlers began to tire.
Hayes hit 28 from 32 balls and Foster was unbeaten on a magnificent 127 from 120 balls with 14 boundaries to lead his side to victory.
