Bridgnorth CC 1st XI v Old Elizabethans (Home)
Bridgnorth 1st XI (72) lost to Old Elizabethans (202-9) by 130 runs.
Batting: M. Spence 32, G. Edwards 19.
Bowling: A. Breakwell 5-58.
The Bridgnorth malaise of giving their opponents too much respect was very much in evidence again on Saturday, as they lost at home by 130 runs to league leaders Old Elizabethans.
After winning the toss, OEs had no hesitation in electing to bat first on a rock hard wicket - an absolute credit to Graham Baldwin & Ray Evans, given the summer we have had. Two good pieces of fielding by Ian Gregory & Andy Leather led to early run-outs & OEs struggling at 8-2. But they demonstrated the patience & discipline lacking in Bridgnorth's batting, and finished at 202-9 after 55 overs. Good steady bowling, particularly from left arm spinner Andy Breakwell (5-58), restricted OEs to a total about 50 short of their expectations.
In reply it was the same old story for Bridgnorth. A mixture of poor shot selection & inadequate technique, coupled with incisive bowling & excellent catching, led Bridgnorth to collapse to 72 all out with their last 6 wickets falling for just 13 runs. Only Murray Spence (32) & Glenn Edwards (19) who added 38 for the 4th wicket provided any resistance.
Only some really hard work & application in the remaining 8 games will preserve Bridgnorth's place in the league. The talent exists, now is the time for application!
Bridgnorth CC 2nd XI v Water Orton (Away)
Bridgnorth 2nd XI (143-1) beat Water Orton (139) by 9 wickets.
Batting: A. Carson 78*, AJ Smith 25, S. Gregory 14*.
Bowling: I. Baldwin 3-32, S. Caine 2-32.
Bridgnorth 2nd XI got back to winning ways with a confident 9 wicket victory away to Water Orton on Saturday.
With the home captain electing to bat first the Bridgnorth attack set about their task well. Opener Ian Baldwin with 3-32 returned the best figures and he was backed up well by Steve Caine (2-32) and AJ Smith and Greg Lewis with one wicket apiece. The fielders also responded along with one Water Orton batsman who managed to run three of his own team out. The hosts were bowled out for 139 in the 49th over.
In reply the Bridgnorth openers never looked in trouble against the Water Orton attack with AJ Smith and Andy Carson putting together an opening stand of 94 before Smith fell for 25. Unperturbed, Carson was finding some rich form which has deserted him the past few weeks and he played with increasing freedom finally finishing on 78 not out. Carson together with Simon Gregory (14*) knocked off the required runs in the 34th over as Bridgnorth finished on 143-1 completing a comprehensive 9 wicket victory.
Bridgnorth CC Sunday 2nd XI v Brewood (Home)
Bridgnorth 2nd XI (245-4) beat Brewood (221-6) by 24 runs.
Batting: S. Farquhar 96, R. Hughes 50, D. James 37, M. Martin 29.
Bowling: M. Weston 3-48, D. James 2-40, E. Lewis 1-40.
Bridgnorth 2nd XI beat Brewood in a closely fought game at home on Sunday. After losing the toss Bridgnorth were put into bat and got off to a very solid start with the two openers Rob Hughes and Stuart Farquhar putting on 87 for the first wicket. Hughes made a quickfire 50 off just 37 balls, his first senior half century for the club. Devon James (37) continued the scoring but the innings was based around the redoubtable Stuart Farquhar who was agonisingly dismissed for 96, just 4 runs shy of what would have been a maiden 100. Captain Matt Martin added 29 off 13 balls as Bridgnorth amassed 245-4 off 40 overs.
In reply, Brewood looked to be making short work of the challenging target with one opener making a very quick 84. However with tight bowling from Mark Weston (3-48), Devon James (2-40) and Ed Lewis (1-40) Bridgnorth managed to slow the run rate down. Wicket keeper Rob Hughes completed a fine all round performance with three excellent stumpings as Brewood finished on 221-6 giving Bridgnorth victory by 24 runs.
