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Shropshire D40 Blog - 18th July in Association with Cobra Cricket
Head Coach / Legend Jonathan Caldecott looks on as the super 9s quality for the semi-finals at Market Drayton CC.
©Kev BakerDespite a mixed set of results over the last few weeks, both the Super 9 and D40 squads have qualified for the national semi-finals in August.
The Super 9s have topped their Midlands Group, whilst the D40 team head the North Section, needing just a few points to make mathematically certain of winning the group.
The Super 9s entertained Warwickshire at St Georges CC, and saw their visitors total 177-4. Despite the efforts of John Foulkes (23) and Dave Ingram (35), Warwickshire ran out narrow victors by 18 runs.
The result left the team needing a win in the final group game against Derbyshire at Market Drayton CC, and after Mike Darlington (2-12) and Luke Clarke (2-5) had helped restrict Derbyshire to 93-5, John Foulkes (20) and Paul Shrimpton (20 not out) ensured an eight-wicket win. The semi-final will be held at Collingham and District CC in Nottinghamshire on Sunday 12th August against opponents as yet to be confirmed.
Having already qualified for the semi-finals after just three group games, the D40 team hosted Lancashire at Alscott CC and recorded a comfortable six wicket win. Charlie Vickers (2-23) and Callum Rigby (3-20) were the main wicket takers as Lancashire were restricted to 108-7. Skipper Shaun Rigby then made 49 not out as the victory target was reached with relative ease. Cheshire were the visitors the following week in a game played at Market Drayton where Shropshire were missing several key players due to illness and injury.
Despite this, and a poor start to the innings, Shropshire recorded a competitive target of 194-9 thanks to Paul Shrimpton (27 not out), Callum Rigby (28) and Shaun Rigby (49). However, an excellent innings of 102 (retired not out) from England Learning Disability wicket keeper Jack Perry and a lacklustre display in the field from Shropshire saw Cheshire record a well-deserved eight wicket win.
The D40 team now face a semi-final at Kidderminster CC on Sunday 19th August, again with opponents yet to be confirmed but likely to be either Hampshire or Essex. The squad will be looking to improve on our runners up finishes in 2015 and 2016, as well as having lost in the semi-final last year to Essex we will be looking to avenge that defeat and qualify for the final at Arundel Castle in September. Before that, our final group game is away to Lancashire on Sunday 29th July where we will be looking to improve on recent performances, particularly in the field.
Many thanks to St Georges CC, Alscott CC and Market Drayton CC for their hospitality and support in hosting our games over the last month.
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