CRICKET: PREMIER League title contenders Shrewsbury got the better of Kenilworth Wardens in a closely fought contest at Glasshouse Lane.
Shrewsbury welcomed quick bowlers Ed Barnard and George Panayi back to their side who had both been on T20 duty with their respective counties Worcestershire and Warwickshire.
After losing the toss, Wardens were invited to bat.
After making a steady start, Stenning (12) was run out after slipping when going for a single.
A quick fire 19 from Basit Zaman saw Wardens reach 64 by the 15th over as rain started to fall.
Following the rain interruption Mankad joined Harry Johnson in a third wicket partnership of 70.
Despite the quality of the Shrewsbury attack, Wardens progressed relative easily. They reached 134 before Johnson was caught on the boundary by Panayi for an impressive 66 that include eight 4s.
However the introduction of Shrewsbury’s captain Ed Foster (23/3) saw Mankad (45) and Donald (27) depart.
Wardens’ innings closed on 224/8 as Kamran Anwar hit a quick 34 in the final overs.
Like the Wardens, Shrewsbury reply got off to a steady but uneventful start as they reached 36 in the 10th over when the players were sent to the pavilion by a sharp shower.
This resulted in Shrewsbury’s target being reduced to 209 off 40 overs.
However, Parton (25) was caught behind by Sale off Mankad during the first ball of the restart. And two overs later, Kayham Khan caught & bowled Westbury (18) with the score on 51.
Ed Foster joined Ed Barnard and rescued the innings with a no-frills 48 that included four 4s.
The introduction of slow bowler Rahul Trivedi (30/2) put the brakes on the scoring and his removal of Ed Barnard (28) and Ed Foster left the visitors needing 55 off eight overs for victory.
Two interventions by Mankad in the next 7 balls left Shrewsbury reeling.
He first caught Ward with a brilliant running diving catch at mid-wicket and then with the first ball of his next over bowled Swift to leave them 157/6.
But the visitors were not to be denied, spirited hitting by Rob Foster (30) and George Panayi saw the away team over the line with two balls to spare.
