Wem crack Quatt to clinch county title

The end-of-season shoot-out between the Premier Division’s best two teams turned out to be a one-sided affair, with Wem winning a game which lasted less than 50 overs in total by eight wickets.

Brothers James and Tom Astley took nine wickets between them as visitors Quatt, who began the day top of the table just two points ahead of the hosts, were bowled out for just 54.

Wem chased down the meagre total in just 10.5 overs to be crowned champions after a series of near misses in recent years.

Peate said: “We were delighted to win but after what has happened over the past three or four years, my main feeling was relief.

“This is a title win which has been some time in the making and after getting so close before, I was just pleased we got over the line. We knew what a big chance this was to finally win it. Thankfully we stepped up.”

Peate pointed to a brilliant diving catch at gully by Alex Ollerenshaw, to dismiss Quatt opener and former Shropshire skipper James Ralph, as the key moment.

He said: “In nearly ten years of playing first-team cricket, it was the best catch I have ever seen.

“As soon as the ball left the bat I thought ‘four.’ The ball never got more than a foot off the ground but somehow Alex caught it at full stretch.

“That left them 12-2 and from that moment we had all the momentum. Everything seemed to go our way.

“We took the decision to move Alex up the order to try and chase down the target quickly and he hit 30 off 29 balls.

“The game was all over by 3.30pm, which was a bit dangerous for some of the lads! I think everyone was in bed by midnight.”

The skipper continued: “The whole thing has been a real team effort.

“At times this season people accused us of being a one-man team because of how well our overseas player, Rishav Das, has performed.

“But we have finished with three of the top five run scorers in the division. Everyone has played their part.”

Dejected Quatt skipper Craig Jones conceded his team had been nowhere near their best, though he had some regret about his decision to bat after winning the toss.

He explained: “It turned out not to be the best of pitches and in hindsight, I should have stuck them in.

“But no way was it a pitch you should get bowled out for 54 on.

“Had we been able to get up to the 120/130 mark then it might have been a tough chase but we simply couldn’t get going.

“As it was, they were able to take an aggressive approach and once it came off the game was quickly over.”

He continued: “It is bitterly disappointing to play so well all season and then put in that kind of performance in the big game.

“At the moment it still feels very raw but over time, when we reflect on what we have done over the year, I think we can be proud.

“We won the T20 competition and have played some really good cricket. It is just a shame we could not quite get over the line in the league.”

Sentinel secured a third-place finish after beating Worfield by nine runs in a low-scoring affair.

The visitors looked destined to round off the season with a defeat after being bowled out for just 89 batting first, Ian Simmons taking 5-17 for the hosts.

But Worfield were then dismissed for just 80 thanks to a mammoth bowling display from Andrew Harrison and Alex Johnson.

The pair bowled in tandem throughout the home side’s innings, Harrison finishing with figures of 6-34, while Johnson claimed 4-46.

Fourth-placed Madeley rounded off the campaign with a seven-wicket win over Newtown, after bowling the visitors out for only 124.

Ludlow finished the season in sixth after a 44-run win at home to Frankton.

Batting first, the hosts were dismissed for 211 but it proved a sufficient total as they were able to bowl out the visitors for 167.

Chris Miller smashed an unbeaten 149 from just 138 deliveries to help St Georges recover from 29-3 to post 265-8 at home to Bomere Heath. But they were unable to force the win, Toby Jones ending 58 not out in the visitors’ 177-7.