Holders Shropshire reach Minor Counties quarter-finals

Former Surrey batsman Chris Murtagh joined Shropshire in 2010

Minor Counties Trophy holders Shropshire reached this season's last eight after a 26-run win over Cheshire.

Chris Murtagh was the mainstay of the home innings at Shifnal, hitting a bold 83 in Shropshire's 250-8.

In reply, Richard Logan's 66 kept Cheshire in the hunt, but they fell short on 224 with seven balls left.

The win means that, with a game to go, Shropshire cannot be caught at the top of the qualifying group, which ensures them a home tie in the last eight.

Batting first, Shropshire came out of the traps quickly.

Murtagh led the way with his 83, but the former Surrey batsman was well supported by Tom Cox, Anthony Parker and Alex Blofield, who hit 37 not out off 27 balls at the end of the innings.

Early wickets for Mark Downes and Jonty Mountford then put Cheshire on the back foot and, with Rob Foster chipping in with two wickets, Cheshire struggled to keep up with the scoring rate.

Logan was backed up by James Duffey and Andrew Hall to take Cheshire within reach of their target.

But Mark Downes (4-33) and Joe Leach (3-35) returned to polish off the tail.

Shropshire - who lifted the Trophy with victory over Lincolnshire in last season's final - are looking a strong one-day side again.

They wrap up their qualifying group against Cumberland on June 5 and already know that they will have a home quarter-final at Orleton Park, Wellington a fortnight later.