HEREFORDSHIRE’S cricketers have cause to celebrate after two wins over neighbours Shropshire in the past week.

The county’s over-50 side set the ball rolling with a six-wicket success at Eastnor and their National Counties counterparts followed this up with a 43-run victory at Oswestry on Sunday.

Ian Milton enjoyed a starring role as the over-50s notched their first win of the season at the third attempt.

The Eastnor all-rounder played a major part in restricting the visitors to an all-out score of 159 by picking up 3-27 from his eight overs.

Eddie Hill (2-19) and John Simpson (2-24) provided able back-up.

Milton then held together the early part of the Herefordshire reply by compiling 39.

The game was still in the balance, however, with the hosts slipping to 87-4 before an unbroken fifth wicket stand between Leon Gates (33 not out) and Chris Tulacz (26 not out) helped Herefordshire to a reduced target of 152 after a weather interruption.

On Sunday, Shameer Ahmed, who played his early cricket at Eastnor, led the way for Herefordshire at Oswestry, top-scoring with 43 as the visitors reached 190 all out.

Ian Bullock (26), Zain Shah (20) and James Rudge (13) gave useful support.

However, with so little cricket being played Herefordshire were bowled out with 12 overs left.

With the ball Shah (3-36) completed a useful all-round performance as the home side were bowled out for 147 in reply with 15 overs remaining.

Teenage leg-spinner Alex Russell (2-8), Jitesh Patel (2-9) and Barney Morgan (2-14) each picked up a couple of wickets to help round off the victory.

This Sunday, Herefordshire’s National Counties side will be on the road again as they travel to Banbury to take on Oxfordshire in another 50-over friendly fixture and are expected to make some changes.

Continuing the winning theme Herefordshire under-15s beat Gwent on Friday at Ledbury Cricket Club.

On a scorching hot day the youngsters stuck to their task and came out with a narrow victory.