HEREFORDSHIRE received the worst possible warm-up for Wednesday's Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy clash with Middlesex when they went down by six wickets to Shropshire in the ECB 38 County Cup at Luctonians yesterday.
It was their third successive defeat, ending any hopes of retaining the trophy they won at Lord's last year.
Herefordshire struggled against the bowling of Adam Shimmons (5-26) and Gavin Byram (3-41) and were reduced to 95-9, despite 40 from new skipper Chris Boroughs.
But a last-wicket stand of 59 lifted them to 154 all out, Nick Davies hitting a bold unbeaten 55 with support from Paul Humphries (9).
It was a record Herefordshire partnership for the 10th wicket in all competitions, but it wasn't enough to turn the tide as Bryan Jones (50no) and former Worcestershire player James Ralph (42) led Shropshire to victory.
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