Bridgnorth CC 1st XI v Wombourne XI (Home)
Bridgnorth 1st XI (182-6) beat Wombourne (181) by 4 wickets
Batting: M. Spence 43, T. Whitney 36, A. Unitt 43*.
Bowling: S. Whitney 5-30, A. Breakwell 3-13.
Bridgnorth 1st XI's good run of pre-season form continued with a fine victory over fellow Birmingham League side Wombourne on Saturday. After losing the toss, Bridgnorth had the chance to prove that they can chase totals as well as set them as they were put into the field. Wombourne got off to a fine start reaching 100 for the loss of only 1 wicket in the 16th over thanks to a destructive batting display from Derbyshire academy youngster L. Hughes (53).
Facing the prospect of a large total Bridgnorth turned to the experience of Andy Leather to bowl a disciplined line and length to control the onslaught and was more than ably supported by legspinner Sam Whitney. Sam bowled with great control and maturity dragging Bridgnorth back into the game (said skipper Pete Thompson). The youngster spun a tightening web over the Wombourne batsmen reducing them to a hapless 144-9, returning figures of 9-0-30-5. Wombourne continued to play shots and flailed another 37 runs taking the total to 181 all out. Also standing out in the bowling department was Andy Breakwell, who bowled with great control in claiming 3-13 off 11 overs.
Bridgnorth's reply got off to a magnificent start with club professional Murray Spence (43) and Tom Whitney (36) seeing off the opening bowlers taking Bridgnorth to a controlled position within the game. Then a middle order collapse with the loss of 5 wickets for 10 runs left Bridgnorth reeling and staring defeat in the face. The vastly experienced Matt Turner and Andy Unitt arrived at the crease and provided the much needed discipline to the batting. They batted sensibly, accumulating runs rather than blasting them all over the park, which was what was needed said captain Thompson. Bridgnorth eventually surpassed Wombourne in the 47th over with the loss of 6 wickets with Unitt finishing unbeaten on 43.
Bridgnorth look forward to the first League game of the season away to Fordhouses on Saturday 5th May.
Bridgnorth CC 2nd XI v Wombourne XI (Home)
Bridgnorth 2nd XI (236-1) beat Wombourne (234-4) by 9 wickets
Batting: G. Edwards 110*, M. Martin 52*, A. Carson 48.
Bowling: D. Nicholson 1-39, M. Martin 1-24.
Bridgnorth 2nd XI completed their pre-season programme with an emphatic win by 9 wickets away at Wombourne on Saturday. After winning the toss visiting captain Steve Caine invited the hosts to bat first on a damp wicket hoping to take advantage of the greeness in the track. Debutante Dan Nicholson (1-39) made an instant impact with a wicket off the second ball of the game and in an impressive opening spell was unlucky not to get more. As the sun dried out the wicket, the batting conditions improved and the home side improved their run rate with some late fireworks finishing on a sizeable 234-4 off their allotted 45 overs. For Bridgnorth Matt Martin, Steve Caine and Ian Roe all picked up a scalp.
Bridgnorth's reply got off to a steady start with openers Glenn Edwards and the form horse Andrew Carson working hard to see of the new ball. As the shine went off the ball both players then started to play shots all round the wicket before Carson (48) was well caught on the boundary to end an opening stand of 145 in 29 overs. Edwards (110*) stood firm and went on to complete his century with young-allrounder Matt Martin (52* off 39 balls) showing his growing ability as Bridgnorth 2nds cruised home by 9 wickets on 236-1 in the 41st over.
Following last year's promotion Bridgnorth 2nds start their Reserve Division 1 campaign with a tasty season opener at home to local rivals Shifnal 2nds.
Bridgnorth CC 3rd XI v Newport (Away)
Bridgnorth 3rd XI (209-7) had a losing draw against Newport (253-5)
Batting: D. James 33, C. Goodwin-Tindall 40, S. Farquhar 31*, R. Hughes 39.
Bowling: E. Lewis 3-46
Bridgnorth 3rd XI began their season with an away match against Newport 3rds. On winning the toss skipper Mark Weston elected to field first, and after Ed Lewis (3-36) on his League debut removed the Newport openers, the bowlers struggled for another breakthrough with the Newport 3rd wicket pair putting together a big partnership. It was not until late on that Devon James and Lewis made any inroads leaving Newport on 253-5.
In reply Bridgnorth kept up with the run rate with James (33) and Conor Goodwin-Tindall (40) making a solid start. Three wickets were then lost for 6 runs, putting the visitors on the back foot for the rest of the match. Still chasing the large total Bridgnorth finished on 209-7 with Stuart Farquhar (31*) and wicketkeeper-batsman Rob Hughes (39) sealing the draw.
