County sportsmen chase Sunday best

Shropshire was today bracing itself for a sporting super Sunday of action around England – with four teams chasing prestigious trophies.

Representative teams in cricket, bowls, hockey and golf are all facing crucial games in their quest to bring silverware to the county.

Shropshire's cricketers begin their Minor Counties Championship campaign with a three-day game against Wiltshire.

Despite the late withdrawal of strike bowler Mike Barnard, Shropshire make the trip to South Wilts Cricket Club in Salisbury in high spirits after already reaching the quarter-finals of the MCCA One-Day Trophy.

And captain Ed Foster is hoping his side will thrive in the longer format as they begin their western division challenge.

"Hopefully we can carry the momentum of what we have achieved so far in one-day cricket into the three-day game," said Foster.

"The aim is to finish in the top three or four in the division and try and make ourselves harder to beat.

"We have to learn that when things aren't going well in a three-day game, we must sit in there and stay in the game because things can change around very quickly."

Up in Sheffield, Shropshire's hockey players will be hoping to create history by winning the County Championship for the first time ever.

Nature

They face Berkshire in the semi-final tomorrow morning bidding to book their place in the final later in the afternoon.

"We are in the second semi-final so we get the shortest amount of rest should we win," said coach Steve Floyd.

"But that is the nature of the competition and if we get through, we will be well up for it and adrenalin will carry us through."

Cheshire and Sussex contest the first last four clash.

The latest step on the road to defending the Crosfield Cup is the priority for Shropshire's bowlers, who are in action against Lancashire in the second group game of the Endsleigh Senior County Championship.

The home leg takes place at Wem USC, with the away team travelling to the Garswood green in the Red Rose county.

Shropshire cruised to victory over The Potteries in their opening match, but the Gang of Four selectors are taking nothing for granted.

"It will be a tough game," said selector Dennis Lewis.

"They have chosen a notoriously difficult green so we will need to perform really well in the home leg."

Shropshire's golfers begin their Midlands League campaign with a home game against Worcestershire at Shrewsbury.

By JAMES GARRISON