NCCA Counties

A fine innings from Andre Bradford was not quite enough to extend Shropshire’s good run in this year’s NCCA Twenty20 competition as they exited the competition at the Super 12s stage.Having won five of their eight group games in qualifying for the Super 12s, Shropshire were handed a long trip to Sprowston Cricket Club, just outside Norwich, on Sunday.They faced Bedfordshire in the first round of the Super 12s – the first meeting between the clubs since 2009 – with Shropshire beaten by 12 runs after just pulling up short in their run chase.The consistent Bradford hit 77 as Shropshire, replying to Bedfordshire’s 170-7, ended their 20 overs on 158-9.Reflecting on the game and Shropshire’s T20 campaign, first-team coach Ed Ashlin said: “We spoke after the game that overall we’ve got to take the positives from the competition this year. We have played much better T20 cricket this year than last year, and the competition has also been an opportunity to introduce some young players to the team.“Ollie Smith has done really well and bowled very well against Bedfordshire again. He’s got a good temperament for a young bowler. Finn Jones and Morgan Ward have also done well when they’ve played.“We’ve been really competitive throughout the competition, including against Bedfordshire. They played very good cricket on the day and, after our game, they then upset the odds by also beating Norfolk.“Bedfordshire had a strong side out and a couple of their batters played well. It wasn’t an easy pitch for T20 cricket, so for them to get 170 we always felt it was going to be a stiff task.“But for us to then have a good go at that, we were pleased with how we went overall. We were obviously disappointed not to get the chance to play Norfolk in the day’s second game, but overall we were pleased with the way we competed.”Having won the toss, Bedfordshire elected to bat and their total of 170-7 was built around a second-wicket partnership of 93 between Jamie Dunk (57) and Theo Robinson (49), with Jamal Richards later contributing 23.George McCormick (2-21), Ollie Smith (2-26) and Joe Stanley (2-31) were the pick of the Shropshire bowling attack.In reply, Shropshire lost early wickets as they were reduced to 57-4 at the end of the ninth over.Bradford, batting at four, was then joined in the middle by Jack Twigger and they quickly put on 50 for the fifth wicket before Shifnal all-rounder Twigger, making a welcome return to the county side, was out for a rapid 31 from just 14 balls, which included two sixes and two fours.Bradford went on to hit an excellent 77 from 51 deliveries, with a six and 11 fours, as Shropshire eventually closed their 20 overs on 158-9.Oscar Phillips took 3-34 while there was also success with the ball for James Anson (2-17) and Nabil Moughal (2-32).Ashlin added: “We lost a couple of early wickets and at that point you are thinking this is going to be difficult. Andre knows his game so well. He adapts to whatever the circumstances are and he showed a lot of skill in his knock.“Jack also showed his ability. He’s a really good ball striker, a good athlete, and they got us back into the game. They gave us a chance and it was a really good partnership to watch.”