Devon Cricket Board - Shropshire collapse to 28 for seven as Anning tears in

Shropshire collapse to 28 for seven as Anning tears in

TREVOR Anning has taken five wickets as Devon fought back against Shropshire at Whitchurch.

Devon were all out for 156 during a rain interrupted first day of their final Minor Counties Championship game of the season – their last seven wickets going down for just 17 runs.

The boot was on the other foot when Shropshire went out to bat as Anning and Josh Bess tore into the early order.

Richard Oliver opened up and was caught behind by Marr Thompson off Bess in the second over.

Shropshire then slipped to 12 for two when a red-faced Alex Huxley was lbw to Anning offering no shot.

Two balls later Anning pitched the ball right up to next man in Jamie Ralph, whose middle and off-stumps were knocked over.

Rob Foster was caught at slip off Bess, then Jono Whitney lasted three balls before Anning had him caught behind.

Anthony Parker was dismissed first ball – caught at cover by Benton – and Tom Friend was caught by Bess off Anning as Shropshire subsided to 28 for seven.

Suddenly, Devon’s total of 156 all out didn’t look too bad at all.

Devon, who won the toss and batted,

Devon were forced off at 38 without loss after 10 overs and didn’t get back on the field until 2pm.

A second rain break wasn’t long coming – and once play resumed Devon lost their first wicket.

Four balls after the first restart opener James Burke was rapped on the pad by Friend and give out lbw.

Surviving opener Rob Holman – he and Burke put on 38 – batted through a second rain break and was just staring to play a few shots when he went fishing outside off-stump.

Ed Barnard, who was playing for England U15s last season, found the edge and Holman was on his way for 38.

David Lye’s miserable season for Devon continued when he was cleaned up by Barnard for four.

Lye, has managed 14 runs in five trips to the crease for Devon in three-day cricket this season.

Rob Woodman looked well settled and at 139 for three Devon were starting to get on top of the bowling.

Woodman’s demise – lbw to Richard Oliver despite getting well forward – sparked a collapse which saw four wickets go for 10 runs added.

Seb Benton was in and out for none – Oliver took seven balls to get him out lbw – then Josh Bess was caught behind off the same bowler by a tumbling Parker.

Matt Golding’s introduction to Minors cricket only last two balls as Oliver snared him lbw as well.

At tea, taken after 43 overs, Devon were 148 for seven and clearly on the back foot against a Shropshire side determined to win as they chase Wiltshire at the top of the Western Division table.

It only took for more overs for Shropshire to knock over the tail-enders.

Trevor Anning went immediately after tea – caught in the slips to give Barnard his third wicket.

Matt Thompson was caught by a diving Parker as Oliver struck again for five in the innings.

Finally, last man Chris Bradley was caught down the leg-side by Parker off Barnard.

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