Shelton Albrighton the Day; Mozza Hits the Horse

Albrighton CC v. Shelton CC, 30/8/08
Result: Shelton CC - 1st XI Won by 38 runs
Date: Sat 30th Aug 2008 @ 13:00
Ground: Albrighton Cricket Club
Highlights
Shelton: Neil Salisbury 89, Rhett Williamson 71 and 4/50, Matt Morris 26, Sam Griffiths 3/25.
Albrighton: Nick Archibald 75, Darren Shimmons 25, Steve Cowie 24.

On a surprisingly warm Saturday, Shelton Cricket Club took another big step towards safety in the Marston’s Shropshire Premier Cricket League, beating an in-form Albrighton side who remain second in the league. With this following the rain-interrupted win over high-flying Madeley the previous week, it is clear that Shelton players are finding form.

Neil Salisbury, continuing as an opener, was again the hero of the day, this time hitting a season’s personal best of 89 runs on a bowling-green smooth pitch. He was backed-up by Matt Morris, taking seriously the role of pinch-hitter, one of his shots landing in the bordering field and bothering a grazing horse, on the way to a score of 26. Rhett Williamson was the latest Shelton batsman to recover his best form, his 71 helping to build a commanding lead at the end of the first innings.

It was a lead which Albrighton attacked with gusto, indeed the home side’s second-innings run rate was higher in the early overs than Shelton’s had been. Nick Archibald was the main Albrighton run-scorer and dangerman, raising the pressure with 75 at number four. It was close, and it was nerve-wracking for Shelton’s supporters, but the Shrewsbury side wrapped up the match through consistent wicket-taking and high-pressure bowling. Sam Griffiths again made his mark with three wickets, although it was spin which made the most inroads into the Albrighton batting order, Rhett Williamson and Mark Davies taking five wickets between them.

The Shelton Second XI continued to impress back in Shrewsbury, dismissing Albrighton’s second-string batsmen for a total of 28.
Shelton’s First-Team fixture list looked difficult on the run-in to the end of the 2008 season, with their final five opponents (Madeley, Albrighton, Reman Services, Quatt and Ludlow) all occupying the higher echelons of the Premier League table. Having beaten two of the toughest teams in Shropshire, though, Shelton’s players now know that anything is possible.