Shropshire’s cricketers endured mixed fortunes as they completed their group fixtures in the National Counties Cricket Association’s Twenty20 competition.

A third half-century of the T20 season from Andre Bradford, followed by Graham Wagg and Tyler Ibbotson hitting 73 runs off the final four overs, helped Shropshire win Monday’s opening match at Whitchurch by 27 runs.

Northumberland then secured an eight-wicket victory in the second game, reaching their target with nine balls to spare, after Shropshire had been bowled out for 102.

Shropshire fielded a young side as brothers Luke and Bradley Thornton, along with Matt Lamb and Matt Rees, who have all played regularly for the academy team in recent seasons, were handed their first team debuts.

Asked to bat first in game one, Shropshire accumulated 158-3 from their 20 overs, with opener Bradford leading the way with 52 from 46 balls, which included five fours.

He put on 62 for the second wicket with Lamb (17) before Shropshire, who were 85-3 at the end of the 16th over, with Max Williamson taking 2-20, were boosted by skipper Wagg and Ibbotson quickly sharing an unbroken partnership of 73.

Wem star Wagg cracked four sixes and a four in racing to 36 not out from just 13 balls, with Shrewsbury all-rounder Ibbotson helping himself to an unbeaten 35 from 15 deliveries, with three sixes and three boundaries.

Northumberland, in reply, closed on 131-9, with former Durham and Ireland wicketkeeper-batter Stuart Poynter top scoring with 30.

Wagg (2-10), Ben Roberts (2-13) and Ibbotson (2-22) helped keep it tight with the ball.

Game two saw Shropshire elect to bat and they lost early wickets as they slipped to 36-5.

Ryan Lockley (25) and Luke Thornton (22) attempted to lead a revival as Shropshire were bowled out for 102 in the 19th over, with George Darwood (3-22), Alasdair Appleby (2-12) and Matthew Oswell (2-15) among the wickets.

Opener Appleby then compiled an unbeaten 50 and Poynter added 21 as Northumberland advanced to 103-2 with nine balls remaining.

Shropshire now look forward to the start of their NCCA Trophy campaign, with their opening 50-over group game against Suffolk at Oswestry on Sunday, June 5.