Shrewsbury seek third straight Salop Leisure Twenty20 title

Shrewsbury Cricket Club are hoping to record a third successive crown when they face Oswestry on Friday (6.15pm) in the final of this year’s Salop Leisure Twenty20 competition.

Having defeated Whitchurch in front of a large crowd a fortnight ago, competition organisers and its sponsors Salop Leisure are hoping for another big turnout when the two sides meet at Shrewsbury’s London Road ground.

Salop Leisure are continuing their popular incentive to attract new spectators to the competition and the sport. Season ticket holders at Shrewsbury Town Football Club, those wearing the club’s football shirt and anyone who picked up a flyer at the club’s two pre-season friendlies at the Greenhous Meadow will qualify for a free drink if they attend the Salop Leisure Knockout T20 Trophy final.

The attendances at matches and the competition’s new format have been a particular high-point for Scott Higgins, sales and marketing manager at tournament sponsors Salop Leisure, “We’ve been delighted by how the people of Shropshire have got behind the competition this year. The new format, with matches spread over three Friday evenings, has worked really well and there’s been some quality cricket on show.”

As a company we’re proud to be associated with such a high standard of competition and are pleased that it has helped bring new faces to the club and the game. This Friday’s final looks set to be a great match with two strong sides set to face each other.”

With Oswestry having secured their place in the final following a closely fought victory over Shifnal, Shrewsbury proved too strong for Whitchurch as they chased down the visitors total of 97 for 8 to win by seven wickets in the eighteenth over.

Spinners Patrick Butler (2-14) and Elliot Green (2-17) did much to restrict Whitchurch and it was only Mo Ishtiaq with 36 who provided prolonged resistance. In response, England U19 international Ed Barnard top scored with 26 whilst support was provided by Butler (24) and Shropshire wicketkeeper Anthony Parker who finished 21 not out.

The competition embraces the popular Twenty20 cricket format with teams wearing coloured kit, pink balls used and music, whilst there will also be a BBQ for spectators.