Shrewsbury Cricketers impress across all levels

The magnificent early summer weather has enabled Shrewsbury's cricketers to produce some stunning team and individual performances this term. 

As we move into the second half of the term,  we are thrilled to have seen our U17 boys' team progress to the national Quarter-Final stage of the Cricket Paper Cup,  Liam G (I, LVI) represent Lancashire, Louis H (S, UVI) represent Worcestershire, Arjan B (SH, IV) excelling in the Bunbury U15 selection process, and our U15A and 1st XI side still competing in the latter stages of their cup competitions.  

With barely a drop of rain falling since our return, the fast outfields and excellent batting pitches have seen runs galore, with the 1st XI and U17 boys involved in two truly memorable cup victories. In the T20 Cup the Salopians needed 4 runs to win from the very last delivery to chase down RGS's 173, and Harrison V (O, LVI) held his nerve to scoop the ball over the wicketkeeper's head to clinch an incredible win.  

Then, on the first day back following Exeat, Shrewsbury found themselves needing a mammoth 231 in just 30 overs to win the regional final of the Cricket Paper U17 cup against Denstone. With a fine 74 from Freddie O (Ch, LVI) providing the backbone to the chase, Harrison added 49 and Isaac E (Rt, LVI) 26 as we won the game with 6 balls and 3 wickets to spare. 

With GCSE and A Level exams taking place, several of our highly promising U14A group have also made their debuts for the 1st XI, a feat which is almost unheard of. Bryan M (Ch, III), Oscar H (Ch, III), George J (Rt, III) and Gurjeevan A (R, III) have all acquitted themselves well in the senior side and show much promise for the future. 

No fewer than 6 Old Salopians have featured in the Shropshire National Counties side captained by OS Charlie Home that has reached the semi-final stage of the NCCA Trophy, while last year's 1st XI captain Jack Home continues to impress the national selectors with his performances for Worcestershire. 

The girl's cricket teams have so far had a season of highs and lows with some fantastic individual performances.  

The 1st XI started the season with a 58-run victory over Shropshire U18's with a 100-run partnership from Millie P (MSH, V) and Aamna K (M, V). Later that week, the 1st XI had an 18-run win against a strong Warwickshire U18's side with Millie scoring 67 off 41 and Emily C (EDH, LVI) finishing on figures of 4-17. This was followed by the 1st XI losing by 22 runs to Warwickshire after an incredible effort by Aamna (70 off 46) and Cerys T (QEH, IV) (96* off 66) that got a 155-run partnership and nearly got us to the required score of 200 in 20 overs. 

Over the half term break, the 1st XI girls were invited down to Marlborough College for their Prize Day. Shrewsbury kept the home side down to 124-7 off their 20 overs with Millie finishing on figures of 4-19. After a slow start to the batting, Shrewsbury needed 88 to win off the last 10 overs. With an exceptional innings from Cerys (86 off 54), Shrewsbury needed 2 to win off the final ball but unfortunately couldn't quite make it over the line.  

It was a disappointing run of cup fixtures for the girls after getting knocked out of the U18's 100-Ball, U17's T20 and the U15's 100-Ball, but we came up against some strong opposition with a young side.    

We have had three of our U14's make their debut for the 1st XI this year. Anna H (M, III), Helena F (G, III) and Freya P (EDH, III) have all excelled at their own age group and made a big impact when stepping up to play for the 1st XI, with Anna taking on the role of opening the bowling. 

Millie, Aamna and Cerys continue to be involved with Warwickshire Girls EPP and Charlotte K (QEH, UVI), Millie and Aamna have also played for the Shropshire Women in the Vitality County Cup and Vitality Blast. 

Adam Shantry and Lara Jones

Cricket Professional and Head of Girls' Cricket