Herefordshire held to a draw

The honours were shared between Herefordshire and Shropshire following a fascinating MCCA Championship match that ebbed and flowed from day one.

Play did not start until 1.45pm due to overnight rain, meaning 36 overs were lost from the day’s allocation - and a total of 101 overs lost in total.

Shropshire resumed on 123 for seven, a lead of 139, but Herefordshire made the best of starts as Steve Taylor was excellently caught in the gully by Dan Bassett off Will Rudge.

Partnerships of 41 between Anthony Parker (23) and Matt Tilt (28no), and 25 between Tilt and Mike Barnard put Shropshire back on track before James Ralph’s generous declaration left Herefordshire requiring 197 for victory in a minimum of 42 overs.

The hosts made a steady start before losing two wickets with the score on 29.

A partnership of 50 between Harshad Patel, who made 39, and Bassett steadied the ship before Bassett was adjudged lbw for 32 to Atiq Chishti.

Herefordshire then endured a mini collapse and were reduced to 96 for six, but captain Chris Boroughs and Chris Powell halted the slide.

Powell hit Andy Gray for two huge sixes and took 14 off the next over before being caught and bowled by Steve Taylor.

Boroughs and Rudge then added 31 off 17 balls to leave Herefordshire needing 13 to win off the last over.

The former was caught at long-on by Richard Oliver off Taylor leaving Herefordshire requiring 10 off four balls but it was not to be and both sides settled for 13 points apiece.