KNOWLE & Dorridge slip to third after a three-wicket defeat against second-placed Shrewsbury in Birmingham & District Premier Division One.
Playing on a difficult pitch at Station Road, the hosts batted first after Shrewsbury won the toss, but were unable to gain any sort of rhythm in the game.
Alex Phillips (17) and Scott Stenning (11) put on 29 before the latter was dismissed by Dillon Pennington for an lbw, before being joined shortly after by William Rigg (1) and Phillips at 30-3.
Sam Reddish (36) brought some hope in the middle order, but he proved an anomaly as only Blake Coburn (16) could reach double figures amongst the tailenders, before Knowle & Dorridge were dismissed for 97.
The hosts bowlers needed to replicate the feats of Shrewsbury’s George Garrett (5-19) – and then some – to stand any chance of winning the game.
It seemed that Knowle & Dorridge might stand a chance at 30-4 after a couple of wickets each for Chris Cheslin (2-29) and Jack Grundy (2-20).
But an unbeaten 47 by number four Matthew Swift, who formed a partnership of 36 with Peter Clark, helped Shrewsbury clinch victory after 32 overs.
Oliver Haley took the final three wickets at 3-22, but it serves as scant consolation for the hosts – who now target a win at Smethwick on Saturday (12 noon).
