Old Hill made an early exit from the Graham Williamson Trophy following a 74-run defeat to Shrewsbury.

The hosts simply found the going too tough against last year’s National Knock-out Cup winners.

After winning the toss and choosing to field, opening bowlers Seb Soukup and Matthius Treuberg had difficulty with the footholds in the damp conidtions.

Shrewsbury scored streadily to finish on 165-8 after 40 overs, Ed Foster top scoring with 28, while Carl Whyte took three wickets for the hosts.

Old Hill’s reply started badly with the early departures of Mike Hingley and skipper Dan Cox and quickly got worse as they slumped to 37-7.

Only resistance from Soukup (37) helped them eventually reach 91 all out.

There was better news on Sunday as Old Hill progressed to the next round of the Staffs Cup with a four-wicket win at Longton.

Overseas player Treuberg starred with the ball, taking 4-33 as the hosts were restricted to 147-9 from 45 overs. Whyte continued his form from the previous day, taking 2-17.

In reply, Old Hill made a cautious start before Cox (2) again failed with the bat.

The quick departure of Shezad Aslam (3) didn’t help matters but Mike Hingley (46) steadied the ship until another late collapse saw Old Hill fall to 87-5.

However, Ian Walker (34 not out) and Arsalann Mahmood (30) lead a rally which evantually saw them over the line with two-and-a-half overs remaining.