Bridgnorth CC 1st XI v Penn (Away)
Bridgnorth 1st XI (155) lost to Penn (156-8) by 2 wickets.
Batting: M. Spence 83, T. Whitney 22.
Bowling: A. Leather 2-23, T. Weaver 2-.
Although Bridgnorth suffered another reverse against Penn, a very positive perfomance augurs well for the rest of the season. Bridgnorth lost by 2 wickets in an excellent match, which could have gone either way.
Asked to bat first by their hosts, the Whitney brothers, Tom & Sam, made a positive start against a very pacy Penn attack. From the relatively good position of 28 without loss, Bridgnorth were soon 37-4. Wickets fell regularly until Murray Spence found a very capable partner in Glenn Edwards. 70 runs were added for the 8th wicket, after which the innings subsided to 155 all out, with Spence making a belligerent 83, Tom Whitney 22.
A positive start was required by Bridgnorth, which was duly provided, and Penn were soon 20-3. Tom Weaver, on his 1st team league debut, maintained his good form with two early wickets. Sam Whitney & Andy Leather maintained the pressure, which saw Penn reduced to 105-7, which quickly became 121-8, when Spence's extra pace disturbed the stumps. Unfortunately, a critical catch was put down & Penn's experienced 9th wicket pair batted very sensibly and saw their side home.
Overall an excellent game of cricket, played hard but in good spirit, from which Bridgnorth deserved better. Good performances from Spence, Tom Whitney (2 marvellous catches behind the stumps), Tom Weaver, Sam Whitney and Andy Leather (2-23 from 13 overs), excellently supported by a very committed team indicate positive times ahead if this standard is maintained.
Bridgnorth CC 2nd XI v Himley (Home)
Bridgnorth 2nd XI (127) lost to Himley (222) by 95 runs.
Batting: C. Goodwin-Tindall 64, W. Low 19.
Bowling: S. Caine 3-39, N. Johnson 2-39, L. Brown 1-9.
Bridgnorth 2nd XI faced a tough encounter against a strong Himley outfit on Saturday - a team that boasts a 1st XI playing in the Premier Division of the Birmingham League.
Himley batted first, and achieved a commendable total of 222 all out, with most of their line-up contributing. The pick of the Bridgnorth bowlers were Steve Caine (3-39) and Neil Johnson (2-39), while Liam Brown once again showed unerring accuracy with figures of 6-3-9-1.
Unfortunately, Himley's total, along with disciplined bowling, proved too much for Bridgnorth's batsmen, as an experienced top order failed to produce what was required of them, collapsing to 55-8 by the 20th over. However, Conor Goodwin-Tindall, on his 2nd team debut, played some superb strokes in a fine 64. Despite his efforts, though, Bridgnorth could only muster 127 all out, giving Himley a well deserved victory by 95 runs.
Bridgnorth will hope to return to winning ways away to Kenilworth Wardens this Saturday.
Bridgnorth CC 3rd XI v Church Aston (Home)
Bridgnorth 3rd XI (179-9) had a winning draw against Church Aston (124-9)
Batting: P. Evans 55, R. Hughes 44, E. Martin 29.
Bowling: K. Osbourne 3-, D. James 2-, G. Baldwin 2-, I. Lock 2-.
Bridgnorth 3rd XI took on Church Aston at home on Saturday, and it proved to be quite a tasty encounter. After winning the toss, captain Mark Weston chose to bat on what proved to be quite a intriguing pitch.
Opener Rob Hughes gave the home side a solid start with a well constructed 44. Pete Evans then came in an upped the run rate with a brisk 55. Fourteen-year-old all-rounder Eddie Martin finished the innings off with a confident 29, leaving Bridgnorth on 179-9.
Church Aston began their innings slowly thanks to some tight bowling from Martin, who finished the game with figures of 0-12 off 10 immaculate overs. Devon James, Graham Baldwin and Ian Lock all chipped in with 2 wickets apiece, and debutante Kieron Osbourne hugely impressed by taking 3 wickets, one of which involved a quite brilliant stumping by keeper Hughes.
Church Aston finished on 124-9 off their 45 overs, giving the home side a winning draw.
