SHROPSHIRE Over 60s cricketers won their opening game with a comfortable six-wicket victory over Leicestershire and Rutland at Shrewsbury.

Skipper John Foster won the toss and elected to bowl hoping to exploit the conditions following recent rain. But it took until the 17th over before making the breakthrough, debutant Dave Brammer holding a good catch to give Dave Ashlin his first wicket with the score on 63. Brammer’s smart fielding then ran out Leicestershrie skipper Robert Ogden.

Shropshire’s tight bowling restricted the scoring rate until a flurry of late blows saw Leicestershire reach 184-5 in their 45 overs. In addition to Ashlin, the other wicket takers were Peter Hayes, Elwyn Jones and Barry Mannagh.

A century stand from skipper Foster and John Hemmings gave the hosts the perfect start with Foster finally falling to to an lbw after hitting 64 from 70 balls with the score on 116.

Hemmings was bowled for 63 and it was left to Alan Denver hit an unbeaten 21 to steer his side home with a couple of overs to spare.