Boroughs top scored for Herefordshire in both innings against Shropshire

Herefordshire fell short in their run chase to draw a tense Minor Counties clash with Shropshire at Eastnor.

Set 197 to win, Herefordshire were well placed thanks to 48 from captain Chris Boroughs and Chris Powell's 36.

The home side needed 13 from the last over with two wickets in hand and Boroughs still at the crease.

But when he was caught at long-on off the bowling of Steve Taylor, it was left to Andrew Sutton and Stuart Wedge to see Herefordshire to a draw.

"You couldn't have hoped for a more exciting finish," visiting chairman Brian Foulkes told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"Both sides had moments in control, and it went down to the very last ball."

After day one was lost to the weather, both sides took nine points from their opening three-day game of the season.

"Fair play to Shropshire captain James Ralph, it was good declaration. They could have won, and so could we," Boroughs told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"In a way it was a great thank you to people at Eastnor who worked so hard to get some cricket in, and we hope the crowd enjoyed it."

Will Rudge followed up his five-wicket haul first innings with 4-48 in the second as Shropshire reached 180 for 9 declared.

"Will bowled really well on the last morning, and with a bit of luck we could have bowled them out sooner," added Boroughs.

"But I was pleased with the way we played the game, little bits here and there, and we might have come away with a win.

"There was a lot of positives to come out of the game, we almost won and it's a bit frustrating, but we have something to build on.

"We hade a couple of people missing for this game, and that is not to say they will come back in.

"We could have played a bit better in certain areas of the game, but we have a lot of confidence to take into the next game against Cornwall."

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