Shropshire fall despite Joe Clarke heroics
Joe Clarke answered the call from Shropshire coach Karl Krikken to showcase his exciting talent with a brilliant century.
But it was not quite enough to lead the county to victory, as Northumberland emerged narrow six run winners in a tight finish at Oswestry.
It means Shropshire have lost all three of their games in the Unicorns Trophy this season and are unable to qualify for the knockout stages.
And that's before their final group match against Lincolnshire at Bracebridge Heath on Sunday.
Despite the disappointment of being edged out, Shropshire could take some comfort from a improved performance, with teenager Clarke the star turn.
Chairman of selectors Brian Foxall said: "It was a good game of cricket. Joe's in great form with two hundreds for his club and then another one for us."
A delayed start owing to the wet weather meant an early lunch was taken.
Northumberland opted to bat first on winning the toss, scored freely to post a competitive total of 283-6 from their reduced allocation of 44 overs.
Opener Reece Carr laid solid foundations by hitting 67 but most of the fireworks were provided by visiting captain Jacques du Toit.
The former Leicestershire star cracked an unbeaten 100 from just 54 balls, a sparkling knock featuring no fewer than nine big sixes and five boundaries.
Spinner Gurman Randhawa was the pick of a Shropshire attack that was minus Ben Sanderson, a late withdrawal.
Randhawa gleaned 2-30 from nine tight overs, while there was also some success for Omar Ali with 2-55.
Shropshire, in reply, quickly lost in-form opener Steve Leach for two, but that brought promising teenager Clarke to the crease.
He quickly put on 60 for the second wicket with Ali, brother of England ace Moeen, who smashed a rapid 39 from 16 balls to set the tempo.
Clarke was in imperious form as he shared a productive fourth-wicket stand worth 122 with experienced captain James Ralph.
All was looking good until Ralph perished for 50 from 57 balls and then Clarke fell the next over, departing for a splendid 107.
Wickets then started to fall at regular intervals and Shropshire ended six runs adrift on 277-9 shortly before 8pm.
