SCC News – Page 2 – Shrewsbury Cricket Club

Shrewsbury travel to Himley in opening Williamson Trophy clash

October 30, 2014/by Shrewsbury CC

Holders Shrewsbury travel to Himley in the 2015 season’s opening match – the first round of the Graham Williamson Trophy which will take place on Saturday 11th April.

If victorious, Shrewsbury will host either Wolverhampton or West Bromwich Dartmouth in the second round.

1st Round – To be played on Saturday 11th April, 2015 (12.30pm start)
Match 1 – Berkswell v Knowle & Dorridge
Match 2 – Leamington Spa v Kenilworth Wardens
Match 3 – Walsall v Sutton Coldfield
Match 4 – Walmley v Dorridge
Match 5 – Himley v Shrewsbury
Match 6 – Wolverhampton v W.B. Dartmouth
Match 7 – Barnt Green v Kidderminster Victoria
Match 8 – Brockhampton v Ombersley

2nd Round – To be played on Saturday 18th April, 2015 (12.30pm start)
Match 9 – Winners 1 v Winners 2
Match 10 – Winners 3 v Winners 4
Match 11 – Winners 5 v Winners 6
Match 12 – Winners 7 v Winners 8

1st Round Plate – To be played on Saturday 18th April, 2015 (12.30pm start)
Match 13- Losers 1 v Losers 2
Match 14 – Losers 3 v Losers 4
Match 15 – Losers 5 v Losers 6
Match 16 – Losers 7 v Losers 8

The Plate Competition will not continue after the 1st Round.

Semi – Finals – To be played on Sunday 3rd May, 2015 (12.30pm start)
Match 17 – Winners 9 v Winners 10
Match 18 – Winners 11 v Winners 12

Final – To be played on Sunday 24th May, 2015 (12.30pm start)
Replay – Monday 25th May 2015 (12.30pm start)
Match 19 – Winners 17 v Winners 18

Sam Griffiths scoops top award

October 23, 2014/by Shrewsbury CC

By Stuart Dunn at the Shrewsbury Chronicle

Sam Griffiths, the former Shelton bowler who has become such a popular figure at London Road, has been named Shrewsbury Cricket Club’s player of the year.

Griffiths, who celebrated his 24th birthday last week, has flourished since taking the decision to step up to the Birmingham League three years ago.

He is now a regular member of the successful Shrewsbury side and his impressive performances as a consistent wicket taker has also seen him break into the Shropshire team.

Ed Foster, the long-serving Shrewsbury opening batsman, insisted Griffiths was a very worthy winner of the prestigious award.

“It just goes to show what players in the Shropshire Cricket League are capable of if they are prepared to make the step up,” said Foster.

“Sam didn’t go straight into the first team when he joined the club but knuckled down and did the hard work.

“He’s a credit to his family, his club and also the cricket education he received at Shelton.”

Griffiths took 45 first team wickets in all competitions for Shrewsbury during the 2014 season, 29 of them in the Birmingham League’s premier division at 19.93 apiece as he helped the London Roaders finish fourth after a strong second half of the campaign.

“Sam’s always at training and is an excellent clubman,” added Foster. “He’s the nicest lad you’ll ever meet and has become a leading player in our side over the last couple of years, also breaking into the Shropshire team.”

Foster also had plenty of kind words to say about Jack Garmson, 16, after the young all-rounder, who recently completed his studies at Meole Brace School, was selected as Shrewsbury’s young player of the year.

“He’s a swing bowler and very skilful for a young lad,” said Foster. “He’s also a quite capable and destructive batsman.

“Everyone at the club has been impressed with his attitude and work ethic. He’s certainly a first team player of the future.”

The winner of Shrewsbury’s club person of the year was Les Nichols, the popular assistant to London Road groundsman Bill Davies, while the chairman’s award went to second team captain Jon Anders for all his hard work with the club’s junior section and the second XI.

Meanwhile, three Shrewsbury players are spending the winter playing in Australia.

Charlie Morris is in Sydney while both the club’s Worcestershire all-rounder Joe Leach and England under-19 all-rounder Ed Barnard have flown out to Canberra.

They recently faced each other in a club game with Barnard’s Queanbeyan District side beating Leach’s North Canberra Gungahlia in an Australian Capital Territory first grade encounter.

Quick win at Walmley completes season

September 23, 2014/by Shrewsbury CC

By Stuart Dunn at the Shrewsbury Chronicle

Shrewsbury were in no mood to hang around as they eased to their second emphatic victory over Walmley in as many weeks to end their Birmingham League premier division season in style – but skipper Rob Foster admitted it had not been the season he was hoping for.

He was optimistic Shrewsbury could made a decent fist of retaining the title they won so impressively last season, but a slow start put paid to those ambitions.

The county towners started to show what they could do in the second half of the season, impressively rallying to eventually finish fourth in the top-flight, but Foster insisted it had been a frustrating campaign.

“It’s been disappointing in my eyes,” said Foster. “Having won the league so comfortably last year, I was hopeful we could do well again.

“We lost a few close games early on without playing well and some of our performances earlier in the season were pretty ordinary so it’s frustrating when you look back.

“Apart from winning the Graham Williamson Trophy again, we’ve not had too much to shout about so it’s not been a hugely successful season.”

At least Shrewsbury managed to end on a positive note as, having coasted to a 113 run victory in the Graham Williamson Trophy final at London Road six days earlier, Shrewsbury once more proved too strong for Walmley to seal a convincing eight-wicket away win.

Shrewsbury needed less than 16 overs to reach their victory target of 145-2, completing their chase in little more than an hour.

Ed Foster led the way with a sparkling 57 from 31 balls, hitting seven fours and three sixes, as he shared in an opening stand of 74 in just 8.1 overs with Steve Leach (36).

England under-19 regular Ed Barnard missed out on the fun and games with the bat, making just four, but Alex Blofield most certainly didn’t as he once more showed his liking for the Walmley bowling.

Blofield smashed a quickfire 39 not out from just 17 deliveries – two sixes and six fours – as Shrewsbury chalked up one of their easiest wins of the season.

Spinner Elliot Green had earlier claimed an eye-catching 5-17 and Blofield helped himself to 2-18 as Walmley, despite 61 from James Brocklebank, were dismissed for 143.

“We played well, especially the way we batted, to get it done so quickly,” added skipper Foster. “There was some pretty good hitting.”

Meanwhile, already relegated Shrewsbury II closed their Birmingham League premier reserve division campaign with a welcome win, beating Walmley II by four wickets at London Road.

Having dismissed the visitors for 190, Shrewsbury’s second string made assured progress to 193-6 thanks to an unbeaten century from Charlie Farquhar.

Shrewsbury claim fifth straight Graham Williamson Trophy

September 11, 2014/by Shrewsbury CC

By Stuart Dunn at the Shrewsbury Chronicle

Proud skipper Rob Foster saluted his knockout kings after Shrewsbury lifted the Birmingham League’s Graham Williamson KO Trophy for an unprecedented fifth successive year.

The London Roaders have monopolised the competition in recent times and underlined their determination to retain the trophy by rattling up a big score en route to overwhelming Walmley by 113 runs in Sunday’s final.

It crowned a productive weekend as, helped by an excellent century from Tom Cox, Shrewsbury beat Walsall by 24 runs in the Birmingham League on Saturday, a result which saw the visitors relegated from the premier division.

“It’s pretty special to have won the Trophy five years in a row,” said Foster. “It’s really pleasing and a great effort.”

Shrewsbury, stuck in for Sunday’s final, needed no second invitation to pile on the runs as they raced to 292 all out inside 38 swashbuckling overs.

Openers Steve Leach (72) and Ed Foster (49) laid solid foundations by putting on 123 for the first wicket before England under-19 star Ed Barnard weighed in with 42.

Alex Blofield, whose appearances have been limited this season, then provided plenty of fireworks by cracking an unbeaten 68 from just 28 balls, hitting five sixes and seven boundaries in the process.

Walmley, in reply, were eventually dismissed for 179, with Australian Patrick Butler (4-25), Elliot Green (3-49) and Sam Griffiths (2-28) among the wickets.

Shrewsbury, who will wrap up their league season at Walmley on Saturday, had maintained their strong form over the second half of the campaign by sending Walsall down 24 hours earlier.

Cox, at No 5, played beautifully to compile an unbeaten 120 from 129 balls, his first century of the season. The Shropshire right hander narrowly missed out on a ton a fortnight earlier when he perished for 94 against Kidderminster, but this time he was not to be denied, hitting five sixes and 15 fours.

Skipper Foster (35) and Glamorgan’s Dewi Jones (22) were next best as Shrewsbury posted 267-9, with David Powles (3-49) and Josh Bowker (3-64) the pick of the Walsall attack.

Powles (70) and Worcestershire wicketkeeper Ben Cox (61) did their best to spark a successful chase but Walsall pulled up short as they closed on 243-7, Mike Barnard taking 2-33.

“Walsall came and played well so it was a good game of cricket,” added Foster. “The way Tom Cox batted was comfortably the best I’ve ever seen him play. He was very positive and played some great shots.”

Meanwhile, Shrewsbury II boasted two centurions in their game at Wolverhampton II, but it was still not enough to save them from a 118 run defeat, a result which sentenced them to relegation from the Birmingham League’s premier reserve division.

Will Parton struck 104 and Aussie teenager Butler ended unbeaten on 102 – his second century of the week after reaching three figures against an overseas touring side a few days earlier – as Shrewsbury closed on 240-3.

Wolverhampton earlier had two centurions of their own as they rattled up a formidable 358-5.

Shrewsbury’s second string end their season at Walmley II on Saturday.

In-form Tom Cox and Mike Barnard miss season finale

September 11, 2014/by Shrewsbury CC

By Stuart Dunn at the Shrewsbury Chronicle

Tom Cox, fresh from hitting his first century of the season last weekend, and paceman Mike Barnard are both unavailable for Shrewsbury’s final match of their Birmingham Cricket League premier division season at Walmley on Saturday.

Cox cracked a glorious, unbeaten 120 in last Saturday’s home win over Walsall which condemned the visitors to relegation.

It was part one of a highly successful weekend for the London Roaders as they swiftly followed it up with a 113 run beating of Walmey, this Saturday’s hosts, to lift the Graham Williamson Trophy for a fifth successive year.

Now skipper Rob Foster wants his in-form side, who have climbed to fourth in the table, to sign off a season which has improved the longer it went on with one final flourish.

“I think we could fall to sixth if we lose so it would be nice to finish on a high by picking up another good result,” said Foster. “It would be great to keep the winning run going and we’ve been playing well recently.”

Shrewsbury all-rounder Joe Leach, who has enjoyed such a promising season with Worcestershire, played a starring role with the bat for the Pears in the first innings of their crunch clash with Surrey this week.

Leach, who played for Shrewsbury last Saturday, top scored with 70 for Worcestershire as they chase victory to make their County Championship second division promotion dreams come true in their penultimate game of the season.

Shrewsbury’s second team, meanwhile, were relegated from the Birmingham League’s premier reserve division following defeat at Wolverhampton II last weekend despite centuries from Will Parton and Australian youngster Patrick Butler.

End of season celebration 2014

September 10, 2014/by Shrewsbury CC

Steve Leach returns at Shrewsbury host Walsall

September 5, 2014/by Shrewsbury CC

By Stuart Dunn at the Shrewsbury Chronicle

Skipper Rob Foster insists Walsall can expect no favours from in-form Shrewsbury in their desperate battle to avoid relegation from the Birmingham Cricket League’s premier division.

Walsall, despite having Pakistan international all-rounder Umar Amin in their side, head to London Road for the penultimate game of the season on Saturday 32 points adrift of safety. Anything less than an away win will see them relegated.

“I wouldn’t expect any favours if we were in their position and you owe it to the other teams around them to play properly and put in a good performance,” said Foster, whose confident side are now fourth in the table following last weekend’s win at Knowle & Dorridge.

“Walsall are a big club, a proud club, with a big history, so I’m sure they’re not going to come here and be any pushovers. Along with West Brom, they’re probably won the league the most.”

Foster is just pleased his side are involved in such a meaningful game rather than an end of season clash with nothing riding on the outcome.

“There’s nothing worse than playing for nothing,” he stressed. “The last two or three games of the season can be quite painful in terms of motivation and will to play, but with them wanting to stay up it does give us something to play for which is good.”

Shrewsbury will be boosted by the return of Steve Leach, the opening batsman, and will pick from a squad of 12.

Shrewsbury also have the chance to pick up some silverware this weekend when they host Walmley in the Graham Williamson Trophy final on Sunday (12.30pm).

The London Roaders have dominated the 40 over competition for Birmingham League clubs having won it four years in a row.

“Walmley have done well this year and had a good run in the National KO,” added Foster, whose dad John held a highly successful President’s Day Festival at London Road last weekend. “We’ve won it the last four years so to win it five times would be quite a special achievement.”

SHREWSBURY (v Walsall), from: E Foster, S Leach, A Blofield, T Cox, E Barnard, R Foster, W Parton, P Butler, D Jones, M Barnard, E Green, S Griffiths.

Two Eds are better than one in K&D victory

September 5, 2014/by Shrewsbury CC

By Stuart Dunn at the Shrewsbury Chronicle

Ed Barnard, Shrewsbury’s England under-19 all-rounder, grabbed four wickets on his first bowling appearance of the season to lift the London Roaders into the top four in the Birmingham Cricket League’s premier division.

Barnard had been unable to bowl for Shrewsbury in his earlier outings for the club this term following back and side injuries, playing as a top order batsman.

But, having recently got among the wickets for England’s under-19s against South Africa, both in Youth Tests and then the one-day series, Shrewsbury skipper Rob Foster was pleased to be able to throw him the ball during last weekend’s 40 run victory at Knowle & Dorridge.

Barnard responded by taking 4-28 from 7.1 overs as the home team were bowled out for 162 to hand Shrewsbury the points they needed to be mathematically safe from being dragged into any danger at the wrong end of the table – not that that was too big a concern given their impressive second half of the season revival.

“Ed had a stress fracture last year which unfortunately ruled him out of any cricket and from bowling,” said Foster. “That carried a bit into this year and in the few games he did play for us earlier in the season he had a side strain or something along those lines and hadn’t been able to bowl.

“But he showed his class last weekend, his quality, which was good to see.”

Barnard, also looking to impress at first class county Worcestershire in the closing weeks of the season, was well backed up with the ball by former Shelton man Sam Griffiths (3-27) and spinner Elliot Green (2-30) as the K&D reply fell away despite contributions from Jack Grundy (40) and Dom Harding (37).

Shrewsbury earlier posted 202 all out with opener Ed Foster once again laying solid foundations, hitting eight fours on his way to top scoring with 80 from 104 balls.

Alex Blofield, promoted to open in the absence of Steve Leach, added 26 and Tom Cox made 25 before Mike Barnard also chipped in down the order with 22 as home duo Michael Bevan and Tom Smith both took three wickets.

“It was a strange sort of batting performance from us,” added skipper Foster. “We were 120-1 after 25 overs which we were really pleased with and we were indebted to Ed and the way he played, so to then collapse to just over 200 all out I thought we might have been a bit light.

“But the way we bowled, led by Ed Barnard, was superb really. We bowled and fielded really well and took our chances. I don’t think we dropped anything which makes a change.

“It was pleasing and it was only the second time I’ve been on the winning side at Knowle & Dorridge. They’re a good side, especially at home, so it was really pleasing to get a win there.”

Shrewsbury will hope to sign off their home programme with another victory against relegation-threatened Walsall on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Shrewsbury II have it all to do scramble clear of the bottom two in the premier reserve division following an eight-wicket defeat in a rain-interrupted match at home to leaders Knowle & Dorridge II.

Jon Anders’s side, 27 points adrift of safety with just two games to play, matched the club’s first team run for run in being bowled out for 202 before the visitors just about reached their revised victory target of 156-2.

Anders, an opening batsman, was in excellent touch for 92 and Dan Manders made 25 before K&D were set a target of 154 in 33 overs which they just about managed after being pushed all the way.

Shrewsbury’s second string head to Wolverhampton II, Anders’s former club, on Saturday knowing only a win will be enough to take their fight for survival to the last day of the season.

Ed Barnard bats for England in the U19 cricket world cup

Bowlers lead Shrewsbury to Knowle and Dorridge victory

September 4, 2014/by Shrewsbury CC

By Stuart Dunn at the Shrewsbury Chronicle

Ed Barnard, Shrewsbury’s England under-19 all-rounder, grabbed four wickets on his first bowling appearance of the season to lift the London Roaders into the top four in the Birmingham Cricket League’s premier division.

Barnard had been unable to bowl for Shrewsbury in his earlier outings for the club this term following back and side injuries, playing as a top order batsman.

But, having recently got among the wickets for England’s under-19s against South Africa, both in Youth Tests and then the one-day series,

Shrewsbury skipper Rob Foster was pleased to be able to throw him the ball during last weekend’s 40 run victory at Knowle & Dorridge.