Shropshire sink Cheshire
Cheshire’s hopes of qualifying for the MCCA Knockout Trophy quarter-finals were ended courtesy of defeat by Shropshire.
The 2007 finalists were beaten by eight wickets on the Duckworth-Lewis method in their penultimate group clash at Wem CC.
Bedfordshire have already qualified for the last eight, and they will be joined by Shropshire or Oxfordshire.
"It's disappointing we've not qualified, but hopefully we can have a good performance against Bedfordshire in our last match. It's important we start the Championship season with confidence behind us," said Cheshire manager Sandy Scrimgeour.
“We’ve played well in patches so far, but unfortunately you can't legislate for the weather (against Shropshire). It was a frustrating day for everyone.”
The 100-over match was initially reduced to 80 overs because of heavy rain but, after Cheshire reached 30 for one from 7.5 overs, rain intervened once again.
Cheshire’s innings was reduced to 14 overs, and Warren Goodwin’s 29 carried them to a 78 for four.
That left Shropshire chasing 96 to win and, though they were in trouble at five for one and 31 for two, an unbroken third-wicket stand of 69 saw them home with 13 balls to spare.
