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Adam Shantry

Adam Shantry becomes Shrewsbury’s Head Coach

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By Stuart Dunn at the Shrewsbury Chronicle

Ambitious Shrewsbury have appointed former professional cricketer Adam Shantry as their new head coach as they set their sights on more success.

The London Road club, Birmingham League champions in 2010 and 2013, are delighted to have secured the services of Shantry, who enjoyed a successful career as a left-arm bowler in the first-class game with Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and Glamorgan.

Shantry, 32, will work closely with both the club’s senior players and also the host of exciting young talent within Shrewsbury’s junior programme.

There is also the prospect that he might play the occasional match for the first team although he will have to take into account his fitness having been forced to retire from the professional game owing to a knee injury.

“Shrewsbury’s a great club and I’m really excited to be involved,” said Shantry, these days a cricket coach at Shrewsbury School who also works for the Glamorgan Academy.

“I can still play just about, but I’m joining the club primarily as a coach. What Shrewsbury have achieved already is fantastic and I just want to help add to that.

“There’s plans to improve the youth system and I’m looking forward to improving training for the seniors and making it as fun and as interesting as possible.

“I spent five winters playing for clubs in Australia and they would often have more than 40 people training twice a week in the evening for two hours.

“I want to get more people wanting to attend senior training, get the numbers up, stay for a drink afterwards and really build the team spirit.”

Shrewsbury’s free-scoring opening batsman Ed Foster insisted the county town club were excited to have Shantry on board.

“We’re hoping he can take us to another level,” said Foster. “We’re really pleased that Adam’s coming in. It’s a big step for the club and it’s not something we’ve done since Ross Stephen used to come over from Australia.

“We’re looking for our junior programme to really develop under Adam while he will also work with the club’s senior players.

“Adam will deliver and implement a coaching programme for our junior members so he can really put his stamp on the sessions.

“We also plan to hold training camps for both junior members and non-club members during the summer holidays to give more youngsters the chance to play cricket and potentially get involved with the club.

“Adam’s very excited about it and looking forward to it.

“It’s great for us to have secured the services of a reputable coach and he may even play for us in some games when he’s free of other commitments with Shrewsbury School.”

Shantry comes from a big cricketing family as his dad Brian used to play professionally for Gloucestershire.

His younger brother Jack, 26, a former Shrewsbury player, opens the bowling for Worcestershire and played a key role in their recent promotion to the first division of the County Championship.

Shantry started his cricket career locally with Perkins (now Reman Services) and also represented Shropshire before breaking through to the first-class game with Northants.

He then moved to Edgbaston to play for Warwickshire before a successful spell at Glamorgan where he hit his maiden first-class century.

Elliot Green

Quick win at Walmley completes season

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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.

Graham Williamson Trophy 2014

Shrewsbury claim fifth straight Graham Williamson Trophy

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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.

Two Eds are better than one in K&D victory

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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

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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.

Rob Foster

Ton up Fosters impress for Shrewsbury

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By Stuart Dunn at the Shrewsbury Chronicle

It was a memorable day for the Foster brothers as they both cracked glorious centuries to put more daylight between Shrewsbury and the Birmingham League premier division relegation zone.

The London Roaders, who head to Kenilworth Wardens on Saturday, now sit 40 points clear of the bottom two after piling on the runs in a one-sided winning draw at home to surprise basement boys Himley.

Skipper Rob Foster hit 113 to register his first century for six years and older brother Ed, his predecessor as captain, maintained his rich vein of form with 112.

“Both us played quite well, said the captain, modestly. “To get 100 with your brother at the other end makes it extra special.

“Ed’s in great form at the moment and it was nice to get a hundred as I had not got one since a game against Halesowen in 2008 so I was well overdue.

“I’ve been close a few times, ending 80 not out when we’ve chased down totals, so it was nice to get one.”

The Fosters put on 156 for the second wicket as the runs flowed for the county towners who remain sixth in the table after claiming 17 points.

Ed shared in an opening stand of 89 with Steve Leach, first man out for 33, and he then played well in tandem with his brother.

Ed struck his 112 from as many balls, hitting a six and 12 boundaries, while skipper Rob, at No 3, helped himself to 15 boundaries on his way to making 113 from 116 deliveries.

Tom Cox then added a brisk 38 as Shrewsbury racked up an imposing total of 352-6 from their 55 overs, with Himley’s Jamie Harris plugging away to take 4-60.

Himley’s reply, in truth, never got going and, despite 42 at the top of the order from captain Greg Wright, the visitors were never likely to chase down their daunting target.

Survival quickly became the name of the game and they achieved it as they ended on 171-7.

Elliot Green, the consistent spinner, claimed 2-45 from 16 overs.

“It was pleasing to come away with 17 points and dominate the game,” added skipper Foster. “We played well although it was just a shame we couldn’t get the wickets we needed to win the game.

“We had seven or eight overs at the end needing three wickets but it didn’t quite happen.

“Sometimes you need teams to play a few shots and I was a bit surprised they didn’t attempt to go for it any stage given they are bottom of the table and need the points, but it was a big chase for them.”

Meanwhile, SHREWSBURY II are 27 points adrift at the bottom of the Birmingham League’s reserve premier division after Henry Blofield’s half century helped them secure a losing draw at Himley II.

Blofield was in good touch for 59 as Shrewsbury, who emerged with six points, closed on 160-5 in reply to Himley’s imposing 278-6 which was built around 74 from Sandeep Dillon.

Promising youngster Harry Bolland bowled tidily to claim 4-63.

Shrewsbury’s second string take on Attock II at London Road on Saturday.

Ed Foster

All-round Ed Foster and hat-trick hero Green shine

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By Stuart Dunn at the Shrewsbury Chronicle

Ed Foster showed his versatility and Elliot Green helped himself to a fine hat-trick as Shrewsbury impressively gained a winning draw over a Berkswell side striving to succeed them as Birmingham League champions.

Foster started as wicketkeeper in the absence of Anthony Parker and then grabbed three wickets before top scoring with an excellent 87 as Shrewsbury just about reached their revised winning draw target to pick up 14 welcome points.

Spinner Green, having earlier taken three wickets in as many balls during an eye-catching five-wicket haul, hit the very last ball of the game for a boundary to ensure Shrewsbury gained the upper hand against a Berkswell side packed with first class experience.

Darren Maddy, the former Warwickshire and England star, was the biggest name in the opposition ranks with Berkswell, led by captain Dominic Ostler, another former Edgbaston stalwart, also able to field former Leicestershire bowler David Brignull and Nick James, an ex-Glamorgan and Warwickshire player.

Shrewsbury captain Rob Foster was delighted with his side’s efforts as they moved 29 points clear of the relegation zone ahead of Saturday’s home clash with basement boys Himley.

“Berkswell are a very strong side,” said Foster. “They’re a bit of a who’s who of first class cricket so it was pleasing that we managed to play so well. I thought the result reflected our performance.”

Berkswell, stuck in, totalled 216-9 from their 55 overs with opener James Neale hitting 50 and Tom Lewis, a regular for Warwickshire’s second team, adding 37.

Green got rid of the two stand-out names in the Berkswell side, with Ostler impressively stumped by Ed Foster off the spinner for 30, and Maddy caught behind behind by Foster for 26.

It helped Green, no stranger to taking hat-tricks, to a return of 5-64 while Foster, in between his tidy display behind the stumps which saw him take three catches in all and complete two stumpings, also took the chance to bowl 11 overs for 3-48.

“Elliot took a bit of punishment in his first three or four overs,” said captain Foster. “But he came back strongly and bowled very well to take five wickets.

“Ed was the fourth seamer so I thought we would give him a few overs and see how he went and he did well. I kept wicket when he bowled, probably the first time I’ve done it for the first team.”

Shrewsbury, in reply, were going nicely at 101-1 but the departure of skipper Foster for 31 after he put on 72 for the second wicket with his brother Ed sparked a collapse to 119-4 and later 139-6.

Opener Foster, enjoying a rich vein of form, continued to close in on a century until he was stumped off Maddy (3-66) for an impressive 87 from 117 balls.

James (4-47) was also among the wickets for Berkswell but Green kept his cool to end 19 not out as he dispatched the final ball of the match to the boundary to ensure Shrewsbury emerged with the lion’s share of the points.

Meanwhile, Shrewsbury’s 2nd XI had a wasted trip to Leamington II in the Birmingham League premier division as the match was abandoned without a ball bowled.

Shrewsbury’s second string hit the road again on Saturday, this time to Himley II.

Ed Foster faces Sri Lanka A tourists‏

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By Stuart Dunn at the Shrewsbury Chronicle

Ed Foster, the consistent Shrewsbury opening batsman, hit 31 against international opposition after receiving a call up to play for Unicorns.

Foster had previously turned down the chance to play for Unicorns, the Minor Counties representative side which is effectively a team made up of the best amateur players in the country.

But he accepted the opportunity to play for them against the Sri Lanka A tourists in a one-day clash at Newcastle’s South Northumberlad Cricket Club.

Foster faced 45 balls for his 31 at the top of the Unicorns order, cracking three boundaries, as he helped his side, which also featured another Shropshire player in paceman Ben Sanderson, post 237.

But it was not quite enough as the Sri Lankans responded with 240-5 to seal a five-wicket victory.

Rod Foster, the Shrewsbury captain and Ed’s younger brother, said the Unicorns call was good recognition.

“They asked him to play for them a few years ago when he was Shropshire captain,” he said. “But too many of the games clashed with Shropshire fixtures and he wasn’t looking to get back into first class cricket which a lot of the players who play for Unicorns are.

“It’s a great achievement for Ed to have been picked to play against Sri Lanka A, a good experience for him to play against a side of their quality.”

Shrewsbury take lion’s share from Walmley contest

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By Stuart Dunn at the Shrewsbury Chronicle

Skipper Rob Foster insisted he was happy with a 17-point return after Shrewsbury produced a dominant display against Walmley to keep moving in the right direction in the Birmingham League’s premier division.

Half centuries from Joe Leach, Ed Foster and Ed Barnard helped Shrewsbury rattle up an imposing total of 278-7.

Sam Griffiths then helped himself to four wickets as Walmley recovered from 95-6 to close on 193-8.

The result lifted Shrewsbury up to seventh spot in the table and ensures they will travel to joint leaders West Bromwich Dartmouth on Saturday in good spirits.

“I was happy with the performance,” said skipper Foster, who picked up a wicket in the first over he’s bowled this season. “We have wanted to put a bit of consistency into our cricket and this was as good as you can get really without a win bar one more bonus point.

“It was obviously disappointing not to get 24 points but it’s as close as a win you can get. We dominated the game really from five overs in to the end so that was pleasing to see.”

Shrewsbury struggled for runs earlier in the season but this was one of their more productive days with the bat as they scored freely.

They lost Steve Leach early on but Ed Foster and Worcestershire all-rounder Joe Leach then put on 158 for the second wicket.
Leach top scored with 73 from 119 balls and Foster cracked 70 from 99 deliveries.

England under-19 international Barnard kept the scoreboard ticking over by making 54 before wicketkeeper Anthony Parker added a brisk, unbeaten 28 to lift the score up to 278-7.

Skipper Foster said: “When Ed (Foster) scores runs it seems to settle the side down and help us.

“It was good to have Joe Leach back and he played well. They built a platform for us.

“Ed Barnard then came in and showed his class and Mushy (Anthony Parker) got a few as well so it’s good to see him getting runs. It was a good performance with the bat.”

Walmley, in reply, looked on the brink of going under once former Warwickshire batsman Navdeep Poonia was bowled by Griffiths who took 4-34 from 15 overs.

But Chris Whittock managed to steady the ship for the visitors with an unbeaten 56 as Walmley, despite Joe Leach also taking 2-32, held on for the draw, closing on 193-8.

“Sam was the star with the ball,” added Foster, who decided to bring himself on to bowl for the first time this season towards the end, taking a wicket with his fourth ball.

“I only bowled three or four overs last season but I thought I would give it a try,” he added. “A few people have twisted my arm to have a bowl.

“It’s just a case of doing what’s best for the side. If I need to bowl a few overs then so be it.”

Meanwhile, SHREWSBURY II are 13 points adrift at the bottom of the Birmingham League’s premier reserve division following a 49 run defeat at high flying Walmley II.

Henry Blofield (3-49) and Aussie Patrick Butler (2-38) picked up some reward as Walmley, held together by 90 from James Brocklebank, totalled 246-8.

Shrewsbury’s openers Jon Anders (60) and George Hargrave (45) laid solid foundations to the reply while Blofield (38) and George Panayi (29) also weighed in as the visitors were dismissed for 197.

Shrewsbury’s second string host Harborne II on Saturday.

Ed Foster

Large Walsall win encourages Foster

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By Stuart Dunn at the Shrewsbury Chronicle

SHREWSBURY gave a timely reminder of their capabilities by hammering Walsall, a result skipper Rob Foster hopes will inject fresh belief into his side’s Birmingham League premier division campaign.

Shrewsbury romped to a stunning 147 run away win to climb out of the top-fight’s bottom two and up to eighth place in the table ahead of Saturday’s home game with Walmley.

The London Roaders quickly returned to Walsall 24 hours later to compete in Birmingham League finals day of the ECB National Club Twenty20 KO.

They saw off hosts Walsall, who must be fed up with the sight of the county towners, in the semis, but missed out on a place in the regional stages after losing heavily to Barnt Green in the final later on Sunday afternoon.

But there was no doubting the highlight of Shrewsbury’s busy weekend with Foster delighted with the manner of the convincing victory, just a third league success of the season, against a Walsall side featuring Pakistan international star Umar Amin.

“It was a really good all-round team performance,” enthused Foster. “The way we performed was much like last year and it’s never easy going to Walsall as they won the league the year before us and have still got a lot of those players in their side.

“We now need to find some consistency and put a few wins together.”

Walsall’s overseas pro Amin found himself totally upstaged by a fired up Shrewsbury side as he failed to take a wicket before being dismissed for an eight-ball duck, caught by Ed Foster off Steve Barnard who delivered a sharp opening spell which left the hosts in major trouble.

Foster said: “It’s always enjoyable to play against someone who has played Test cricket. Sometimes it’s nice in a way to watch them score a few runs and watch them play, but Steve Barnard cleaned him up early on with a really good ball.”

Shrewsbury, stuck in, had earlier made assured progress towards totalling a competitive 225-8.

They lost Steve Leach early on but that brought together the Foster brothers and they put on 87 for the second wicket.

Ed Foster led the way with 64 from 114 balls, hitting a six and five boundaries, while skipper Rob Foster added 42.

Other useful contributions from wicketkeeper Anthony Parker (47no) and Steve Barnard (40) kept the scoreboard ticking over as Walsall’s Paul Byrne claimed 4-74.

Walsall, in reply, were quickly plunged into turmoil with Barnard, who claimed 3-19 from nine lively overs, reducing them to 10-3.

Byrne offered limited resistance by making 30 but Walsall were then undone by former Shelton paceman Sam Griffiths, who claimed 4-18 from 9.2 overs, and Mike Barnard (2-17) as they were skittled for just 78 inside 34 overs.

“Our score was a very competitive one,” said the skipper. “We were put in and there was a bit in the wicket early on but Ed batted very well and we managed to put a few on. Then Anthony Parker and Steve Barnard also played well.

“Steve bowled very well at the start of the Walsall innings, taking three wickets and he might have had a fourth but for a dropped catch, and then Sam came on and took four wickets. It was all very pleasing.”

Lightning struck twice 24 hours later with Shrewsbury, showing five changes from Saturday, beating Walsall again, this time in the Birmingham League semi-finals of the ECB National Club Twenty20.

Walsall opted to bat first and Griffiths again enjoyed himself, claiming 3-22, while Jack Garmson played his part with 2-25 as the home side were restricted to 139-8 from their 20 overs.

Shrewsbury timed their chase to perfection to advance to 140-5 with four balls to spare.

Rob Foster, promoted to open, hammered 60 from 37 balls, putting on 90 for the second wicket with his brother Ed, who saw the job through with an unbeaten 61 from 53 deliveries.

That set up a final clash against Barnt Green, five run conquerors of Tamworth in the other semi.

But Shrewsbury were unable to make it three wins out of three for the weekend as they were well beaten by nine wickets after being bowled out for just 52.

Foster added: “We played very well in the semi to chase down 140. In the final we were a little reliant on a few of us at the top of the order and unfortunately we didn’t fire. To be bowled out for 52 was a bit embarrassing but Barnt Green are a good side and had a strong team out.”