The final fixture of the season for Shropshire’s Academy side took them to Brymbo Cricket Club on Monday to play a friendly against Wales National County North.
The hosts emerged winners by 141 runs, but there were some positives for Shropshire, including the impressive performances of Theo Truss and Harry Bolland.
Shrewsbury’s Truss top scored with a fine 78 while Bomere Heath all-rounder Bolland did well with both bat and ball.
Shropshire captain Matt Rees won the toss and elected to bowl, with Ben Roberts and Cameron Watson removing the home openers, which included an exceptional catch from Truss.
William Ryan then impressively hit an unbeaten 151 from 130 balls, with 17 fours and six sixes, with support from Matthew Humphreys (42) and Harrison Jones (37), as Wales National County North totalled 327-8 from their 50 overs.
Debutant Bolland took 3-68, with skipper Rees and Alex Selby Shropshire’s other wicket-takers.
Shropshire, in reply, soon found themselves 24-3, but then came a brilliant fourth-wicket partnership of 124 between Truss and Bolland.
Truss hit 78 from 81 balls, including 15 boundaries, and he was well supported by Bolland, who made 38.
But Shropshire’s young side then went from 148-3 to 186 all out, with Humphreys (4-28) and Daniel Parry (4-30) the pick of the home bowlers.
Coach Tyler Ibbotson said: “We are excited to see the development of some young academy players and look forward to working with them on our winter programme in the upcoming months.”
Shropshire’s Head of Academy Ian Roe added: “We had players from 10 different clubs in the side, including a number of debutants.
“It was the first time this group of players had played together and we hope they will be available to train together as a unit in the months ahead.
“There were some encouraging signs considering this was the first time they had lined up together.
“They have done well for their clubs during the summer and it was a good chance to have a look at them.”