Shrewsbury cricket stars enjoying a successful summer

Shrewsbury's cricketers are enjoying another successful summer.

In our boys’ programme, several teams are still involved in national competitions as the season moves into the final stages. Our U15 boys’ have been crowned as champions of Shropshire after beating Wrekin College by 2 wickets in a thrilling final, and now aim to be victorious in the Midlands regional stage. Leo L (Rt, IV) took 3-16 as Wrekin were restricted to 120, before Harry P (O, IV) (34) top scored in Shrewsbury's successful chase.

The 1st XI has been dominant in their school fixtures this year, recording victory in each of their games. Wins against Repton (177 runs), Bromsgrove (9 wickets) and Manchester Grammar (108 runs) have been emphatic, while the strength and depth of the boys' programme has been highlighted by aggregate success in every block fixture.

1^st XI captain Jack H (O, UVI) has also played 2^nd XI County cricket for Worcestershire, and a great many more pupils have represented their respective national county sides in age group cricket. Old Salopians have filled 6 of the 11 places in Shropshire's senior men's team this summer, and recent leaver George Garrett has established himself in the Kent side following his winter move from Warwickshire.

Shrewsbury’s female cricketers are having yet another strong season. The U14 Girls continue on their unbeaten run, with the latest victory coming over Bromsgrove by 137 runs. Rosie C (M, III) was the star with the bat, smashing 93 while India G (EDH, III) starred with the ball claiming 3-4. They have now won 5 out of 5 matches, with only the rain claiming 3 victories against them!

The U15 Girls narrowly lost to Repton in the 3^rd round of the National Cup. Shrewsbury batted first on a rain affected pitch and posted a total of just 95. Millie P (MSH, IV) was the backbone of the innings yet again, scoring 41 from 42 balls as boundaries were difficult to find. Shrewsbury then made a fantastic effort in attempting to stop Repton getting over the line, Aamna K (M, IV) picking up 3 key wickets in the middle order. Unfortunately it wasn’t quite enough as Repton got over the line, losing 8 wickets with 15 balls to go.

At the top end of the school, the 1^st XI Girls are looking like a very good side. They have progressed to another National Cup Semi Final, after they played Sedbergh on Wednesday. Batting first, Sedbergh were restricted to 48-6 after their allotted overs, with Charlotte K (QEH, LVI) taking 2-7 and Millie 2-8. Shrewsbury chased the total with the loss of one wicket, leading to a comprehensive victory for the team.

One of their latest victories came over Cricket Wales Development XI on Saturday. Shrewsbury batted first, and skipper Esther H (EDH, UVI) jumped at the chance, scoring 69 at the top of the order. Her innings was ably supported by Aamna K (40) and Jenny O’B (MSH, UVI) (34), along with contributions from Rose F (G, UVI) (27) and Charlotte K (24), which helped Shrewsbury post a total of 237. In response, Shrewsbury restricted Cricket Wales to 187-9, Aamna K being the pick of the bowlers yet again with figures of 3-31 and Esther chipping in with 2-34.

We now look ahead to the biggest block of the year (12 fixtures) against Rugby School on Saturday.

Will Hughes 

Director of Cricket