Shropshire’s Academy team played two matches against The ACE Programme side at Ellesmere College on Thursday.
The visitors from London won both matches, the first played over 100 balls per side, with the second a 70 balls per side contest.
Shropshire Academy coach Ed Ashlin said: “The ACE Programme is the charity that Ebony Rainford-Brent set up, designed to engage young people of African and Caribbean heritage, to try and unearth additional talent and provide opportunities.
“It’s similar to SACA, the South Asian Cricket Academy, who have had a few players progressing into professional cricket, and that’s what The ACE Programme is looking to do.
“It’s grown and there’s now a number of regional hubs across the country, but the bulk of the team that played us travelled from The Oval in London.
“We had a young team, a mixture of our under-15s, 16s, 17s and 18s. They were a bit older, under-19s, so it was a good test for the lads.
“We competed better in the second game. They overpowered us a bit in the first game, but it was a good learning curve and a good experience for the lads.”
Closed just short of their target
The day’s second friendly saw The ACE Programme team, having elected to bat, emerge winners by eight runs.
Captain Oliver Parton from Shifnal took 3-10 and Allscott’s Max Ferrington claimed 3-11 as the visitors, with opener Nathan Khelawon leading the way with 22, were bowled out for 79.
Shropshire Academy closed just short of their target on 71-7, with Ellesmere College student Morgan Yorke (21) and Shifnal’s Harry Parton (18) the top scorers.
The ACE Programme team also decided to bat in the opening game and totalled 163-3 from their 100 balls.
O’dane Giddens (34), Kamrio Grant (34), Arlonzo Pearce (31) and Nathan Khelawon (27no) all kept the scoreboard ticking over.
Shropshire Academy, in reply, were bowled out for 49, with M. Simpson taking 3-1, as The ACE Programme team won by 114 runs.
Pictured: The Shropshire Academy side and The ACE Programme team at Ellesmere College on Thursday. Picture: Cricket Shropshire.