Bridgnorth CC 1st XI v Old Elizabethans (Away)
Bridgnorth 1st XI (55) lost to Old Elizabethans (208) by 153 runs.
Batting: Extras 16!
Bowling: A. Leather 5-75, S. Whitney 4-45.
Bridgnorth 1st XI travelled to Old Elizabethans on Saturday, and it was a case of different venue but same old story, as Bridgnorth's batting succumbed to familiar failure against the swinging, seaming ball. A couple of dubious decisions didn't help a poor display as Bridgnorth lost by 153 runs, having been dismissed for 55 in reply to OE's 208 all out.
Inviting to bat in very blustery conditions, OEs raced to 50 by the 10th over. The introduction of Ian Gregory brought a measure of control, however. This was followed by a very mature controlled spell from Sam Whitney, who showed yet again that if he concentrated more on his cricket than other distractions, has the ability to progress a long way. He took 4-45 in 13 overs of excellent legspin bowling. At the other end, bowling directly into the wind, Andy Leather finished with 5-75 off 19.3 overs. OEs were disappointed to be all out for 208, after such a bright start.
Unfortunately, not much can be said of Bridgnorth's response, Extras being the top scorer with 16! Sustained accurate bowling at a lively pace proved to be Bridgnorth's undoing. It reinforced the knowledge that at this level, you have to work very hard for your runs - a lesson to be learnt not only by Bridgnorth's batsmen but also their bowlers. Some solace can be taken from the fact that they have been beaten by the top two teams in the league. Two important games beckon over the Bank Holiday weekend, where the previous two weeks' disappointment can be put behind them.
Bridgnorth CC 2nd XI v Water Orton (Home)
Bridgnorth 2nd XI (123-9) beat Water Orton (119) by 1 wicket
Batting: G. Lewis 35*, G. Edwards 19, S. Pitt 18.
Bowling: S. Caine 3-27, E. Mullard 2-21.
Bridgnorth 2nd XI fans were put through the wringer on Saturday as they scraped home with a one wicket victory as home to Water Orton.
After rain had delayed proceedings for over an hour and shortened the contest to 40 overs per side, the visitors were inserted on a pitch offering plenty of assistance to the seam bowlers, and the home side fired out of the blocks to reduce Water Orton to 40-4. Pace aces Simon Pitt and Tom Weaver continued their fine form with a couple of wickets a piece. A mid-innings fightback frustrated the Bridgnorth team but they finally wrapped up the innings for 119 in the 35th over. Skipper Steve Caine was in the wickets with 3-27 whilst fit-again all-rounder Eddie Mullard claimed 2-21.
Bridgnorth's reply got off to a bad start with a wicket in the first over, but the ship was guided through some troubled moments and at 50-2 the hard work appeared to be done. However, the dismissal of opener Glenn Edwards (19) heralded a major collapse as the hosts sank to 57-7, staring almost certain defeat in the face. But nobody told Greg Lewis and Simon Pitt, though, as the pair set about a major recovery as they added 42 vital runs for the 8th wicket, before Pitt's resistance was finally ended on 18. Lewis continued to show the way and was joined by last man, skipper Steve Caine, with 18 runs still required for victory. In a tense climax the coolest man on the park, Lewis, crashed a final boundary to finish on an accomplished 35* as Bridgnorth finished on 123-9 to win by one wicket with just 10 deliveries remaining.
