Bridgnorth CC 1st XI v Olton & West Warwick (Home)
Bridgnorth 1st XI (166-8) drew with Olton (166-9)
Batting: G. Mumford 24, A. Unitt 20.
Bowling: T. Weaver 4-28, S. Whitney 3-47.
Bridgnorth 1st XI maintained their seventh position in the league as they picked up 11 points in a scores-level draw at home to Olton & West Warwick.
Bridgnorth batted first and crawled along in the face of some tight opposition bowling, and at 135-8 with 5 overs remaining the total looked a little short of what they wanted. However, 31 runs off the final 5 overs from Sam Whitney and Tom Weaver lifted the home side to 166-8 and gave them a total to defend. Gareth Mumford (24) and Andy Unitt (20) were the innings top-scorers.
In reply, Olton & West Warwick looked to be cruising to victory, reaching 141-3 with 12 overs left, but the away batsmen lost their bottle in the face of a fighting Bridgnorth side. Swing bowler Tom Weaver continued his excellent season taking 4-28, as he and wrist spinner Sam Whitney (3-47) roared through the Olton batting order. Needing 6 off the last over, bowled by skipper Mark MacPherson-Lees, the visitors could only manage 5 and ended on 166-9, leaving the scores level.
A quirk in the Birmingham League rules meant that the game is only tied if the team batting second is all out, so both teams had to settle for less points in a scores-level draw.
Bridgnorth CC 2nd XI v Old Hill (Away)
Bridgnorth 2nd XI (148-7) beat Old Hill (147) by 3 wickets
Batting: M. Martin 100*.
Bowling: J. Shaw 4-25.
Bridgnorth 2nd XI moved up to fourth in the Birmingham League Reserve Division One, as they completed the double over Old Hill, notching up a tense 3-wicket win away from home.
Playing on a wet wicket, Bridgnorth captain Eddie Mullard had no hesitation in asking Old Hill to bat first on winning the toss, and the home side struggled to 64-4. In drying conditions, though, the hosts battled back and in the face of some uncharacteristically poor fielding looked set for a decent total. However, the introduction of young legspinner Jimmy Shaw changed the game as the little sorcerer took 4-25 to dismiss Old Hill for 147.
The Bridgnorth run-chase stuttered along as wickets fell at regular intervals, but opener Matt Martin stood tall for the visitors as he showed his burgeoning talent, plundering runs all round the ground. At 113-6 Bridgnorth were in danger of blowing their chance, but Jimmy Shaw, second top-scorer with just 10, joined Martin and took Bridgnorth to the brink of victory. Martin (100*) completed the job as he recorded a brilliant century to almost single-handedly lead Bridgnorth to 148-7, and victory.
Bridgnorth CC 3rd XI v Willey (Away)
Bridgnorth 3rd XI (151-8) beat Willey (71) by 80 runs
Batting: T. Weston 47, K. Osborne 41.
Bowling: K. Osborne 2-16, G. Baldwin 2-15, T. Weston 3-9, D. James 2-13.
Bridgnorth 3rd XI got back to winning ways on Saturday, picking up a comprehensive win by 80 runs away at local rivals Willey IIs.
Batting first, Bridgnorth's young line-up struggled early on against the evergreen Terry Hyde, who took 4-38 off 20 overs. Tom Weston (47) and Kieron Osborne (41) battled hard and both continued their recent good form as they led the visitors to 151-8 off their 45 overs.
Willey's reply never got going, with the home side's 2008 struggles continuing as they fell to 71 all out off 35.5 overs. The Bridgnorth wickets were shared around with Kieran Osborne (2-16), Graham Baldwin (2-15), Tom Weston (3-9) and Dev James (2-13) all enjoying success.
Bridgnorth CC Sunday 1st XI v Penkridge (Home)
Bridgnorth 1st XI (181-7) lost to Penkridge (182-5) by 5 wickets
Batting: P. Dogra 79, G. Edwards 39*, G. Mumford 27.
Bowling: G. Mumford 3-33, A. Thomas 1-27.
Bridgnorth Sunday 1st XI continued their mixed season as they went down by 5 wickets in a close match at home to Penkridge.
After somewhat surprisingly being asked to bat first, Bridgnorth's top order struggled to make use of the wicket as they slumped to 59-5, Gareth Mumford getting a start with 27. The innings was rescued, though, with a 6th-wicket partnership of 105 between the explosive Paras Dogra, who smashed 79 off just 46 balls, and the more subdued Glenn Edwards (39*). A late flurry of runs saw the hosts reach 181-7 off their 40 overs.
Penkridge's reply got off to a good start, and this was the theme of their innings as they were always just above the required rate. A double-wicket maiden in a spell of 3-33 from under-rated offspinner Gareth Mumford gave Bridgnorth some hope, and at 108-4 the result was in the balance. However, Bridgnorth's total was probably 25 short of what was needed as, despite a spirited fight, the home side could not prevent the visitors reaching their target of 182-5 with just 9 balls remaining.
Bridgnorth CC Sunday 2nd XI v Penkridge (Away)
Bridgnorth 2nd XI (173-6) beat Penkridge (171-9) by 4 wickets
Batting: R. Hughes 41, J. Jones 33, E. Lewis 43*.
Bowling: J. Jones 4-13, I. Gough 2-30.
Bridgnorth Sunday 2nd XI continued their improvement with a 4-wicket win away at Penkridge.
The home side batted first, and posted a challenging 171-9 off their 40 overs. This total looked to be going higher before left-arm paceman Josh Jones ran through the tail with 4-13. Ian Gough also chipped in with 2-30.
In reply Bridgnorth got off to a solid start through openers Rob Hughes (41) and Josh Jones, who completed a fine all-round day with 33. There was still plenty left to do but a young middle order kept their heads and discipline as Ed Lewis, with a hard-hitting 43*, guided the team home, finishing on 173-6 to earn the victory.
