Shepshed edged out in entertaining run fest

SHEPSHED 1st XI travelled to Melton Mowbray 1st XI in a game that turned out to be a right thriller.

Shepshed batting first wasted no time in getting runs on the board the ball being stroked to all parts of the ground and as the runs were mounting up you could sense a big score was on the cards.

That turned out to be the case as Shepshed racked up 304 for 6 with Alec Williams scoring his second century in three days after scoring 101 on Thursday he followed it up with 118 not out and he was backed up by veteran Danny Brown who defied his years to score 47.

With Harry Sloan chipping in with 31 and Karl Shaw smashing a quickfire 29 Shepshed were pleased with their afternoon’s work and very upbeat at tea.

Shepshed took to the field then the weather changed and it became overcast and the Shepshed bowlers started to get on top.

After removing the Melton openers up stepped Humpreys who put bat to ball and started to put some serious runs on the board.

Shepshed kept chipping away but the Melton batsmen were digging in, then the turning point of the match as it started to rain both teams carried on to try and get 20 overs in so they could get a result.

Melton started to pile on the runs even though wickets were being taken it was still in Shepshed’s favour but the rain was getting worse and the Shepshed bowlers were finding it very difficult to hold the ball and Melton took advantage as Hadley started smashing the ball to all parts and an unlikely Melton victory looked on the cards.

Humpreys with 81 and Hadley an unbeaten 98 saw Melton home with Hadley hitting a six to win the match when the scores were tied on 304, Meton scoring 310 for 6.

The Shepshed bowlers did their best in in the pouring rain with Paul Felton 4 for 88 backed up by Adam Clapton and Chris- tian Booth taking a wicket a piece but in the end it was not to be.

An exciting game despite the conditions but a very disappointing day for Shepshed. • In other games for the club, Shepshed 2nd XI game at home to Burbage 1st XI was abandoned as was Shepshed’s 4th XI clash with Queniborough 4th XI, but Shepshed’s 3rd XI match with Quorn 2nd XI did play to a finish.

Batting first Shepshed scored 144 and when Shepshed bowled they took early wickets but never got going and Quorn’s batsman too control, reaching their target to clinch the points finishing on 145 for 4.