Cornwall endured a frustrating day in the field at Whitchurch and then lost three wickets late in the afternoon on day one of the Minor Counties Championship match with Shropshire.

In the 21 overs available before rain finally halted proceedings, Cornwall were 84 for three, having earlier dismissed the hosts for 202.

In contrast to the opening day's play of Devon's match against Wiltshire, which was played out in glorious weather at Exmouth, Cornwall spent most of yesterday fielding in light drizzle after a delayed start. Dan Davis was the pick of the bowlers, sending down nine maidens in a 24-over spell that cost just 40 runs and resulted in four wickets.

Shropshire lost the prolific Ed Foster and Chris Murtagh early on, pacemen Sam Hockin and Alex Smeeth doing the damage before Davis struck for the first time to snare Alex Huxley lbw for 12.

Wickets fell regularly as the Midlands county subsided to 57 for five, the slide eventually halted by Andy Gray, who had stroked a confident 68 before becoming the eighth wicket to fall, one of two victims for Cornwall captain Tom Sharp.

Rob Foster 30) added stability earlier in the innings and Stephen Taylor's 32 down the order saw Shropshire past the 200 mark but Cornwall failed to take advantage of their hard work in the field as they lost opener David Roberts for one in the reply with just 12 on the board.

Matt Robbins was next to go, clean bowled by Taylor for 30, and Shropshire struck once more just before the early close when Gary Thomas departed for seven, an lbw victim for Jonty Mountfield.

Cornwall will be disappointed with the damage done and will hope for no further disruption today with Davis fresh at the crease alongside Keith Parsons, who is on 30.