Bridgnorth CC 1st XI v Aston Unity (Away)
Bridgnorth 1st XI (71) lost to Aston Unity (153) by 82 runs.
Batting: T. Whitney 32.
Bowling: A. Leather 4-42, S. Whitney 3-30, I. Gregory 2-29.
It was the same old story for Bridgnorth First XI on Saturday, as the batting again let them down in an 82 run loss away at Aston Unity. Having bowled their hosts out for 153, Bridgnorth failed to reach three figures for the third match in succession.
Aston were given a dream start as Bridgnorth were again profligate with the new ball, and they reached 50-1 by the 10th over. The introduction of Ian Gregory, Andy Leather and then Sam Whitney not only slowed the run rate, but regularly took wickets. Aston were eventually bowled out for 153, with Leather taking 4-42, Whitney 3-30 and Gregory 2-29. In reality, that was 50 more than Aston should have got.
With confidence low, Bridgnorth needed a good start. However, they were soon 12-2 with Spence and Thompson both out bowled. Tom Whitney showed a welcome return to form with 32, but wickets continued to fall in metronomic fashion. The innings subsided to 71 all out - a very disappointing performance against a team Bridgnorth ought to beat.
Bridgnorth CC 2nd XI v West Bromwich Dartmouth (Home)
Bridgnorth 2nd XI (168-2) beat W.B.D (167) by 8 wickets
Batting: S. Gregory 72*, G. Edwards 56.
Bowling: S. Pitt 5-55, S. Caine 3-47, T. Weaver 2-46.
Bridgnorth 2nd XI's excellent early season form continued as they produced a very fine performance in gaining a resounding 8 wicket win at home to West Bromwich Dartmouth.
On winning the toss home captain Steve Caine again elected to bowl first against a strong Dartmouth line-up and once again the opening bowlers produced the goods. Tom Weaver (2-46) passed the edge on a number of occasions, but the spearhead of the attack was the outstanding Simon Pitt, who ran himself into the ground in taking 5-55 in an unbroken spell of 17 overs. With the visitors floundering the home side could not quite finish the job as the Dartmouth tail wagged to post a potentially challenging score of 167, Steve Caine (3-47) was the other wicket taker.
A much changed Bridgnorth batting line up due to unavailability left the hosts nervous in the chase but this was soon dispelled as the openers added 54 for the first wicket before Eddie Mullard fell lbw. Wicketkeeper batsman Simon Gregory, in his first league outing of the season, then joined vice captain Glenn Edwards and the pair added 74 before Edwards was removed for a well compiled 56. Gregory showed his growing maturity as he worked the Dartmouth bowlers all round the park in producing his maiden 2nd XI league fifty, finishing on 72 not out. He was joined for the final 41 runs by debutante Liam Brown who hit the winning runs in the 38th over to give Bridgnorth a brilliant 8 wicket victory.
Bridgnorth CC Sunday 1st XI v Berkswell (Home)
Bridgnorth 1st XI (110-5) had a losing draw against Berkswell (290-3)
Batting:
Bowling:
Bridgnorth hosted Berkswell in a league match on Bank Holiday Monday with the home side picking up a losing draw.
Berkswell batted first and amassed 290-3 in their 55 overs but the innings was interrupted with a number of rain breaks which made bowling and fielding very difficult for the home bowlers.
Bridgnorth started their reply at 6:50 and in near farcical conditions reached 110-5 in the wind, rain and poor light before the game ended. On a positive note, Tom Whitney, Ian Gregory and Gareth Mumford showed some good form.
