Bridgnorth CC 1st XI v Oswestry (Away)
Bridgnorth 1st XI (94) lost to Oswestry (256-7) by 162 runs
Batting: M. MacPherson-Lees 40, A. Unitt 22.
Bowling: S. Whitney 3-100, M. MacPherson-Lees 2-.
Bridgnorth 1st XI were looking to cement their Birmingham League third division status at relegated Oswestry on Saturday, but a very poor performance resulted in a humiliating 162-run defeat.
Bridgnorth inserted Oswestry into bat, but failed to gain a stranglehold on their innings. Poor fielding and indisciplined bowling resulted in the home side finishing on a mammoth 256 for 7. The main wicket-takers were Sam Whitney with 3-100, and Mark MacPherson Lees with a brace.
This left Bridgnorth with it all to do, but unfortunately wickets fell at regular intervals. Some resistance was shown by captain MacPherson-Lees with 40, and Andy Unitt with 22, but this was not enough. Bridgnorth eventually tamely surrendered for a very disappointing 94 all out.
Bridgnorth still need ten points to be sure of survival, and a much improved performance will be needed away at high flying Brockhampton tomorrow.
Bridgnorth CC 2nd XI v Bromsgrove (Home)
Bridgnorth 2nd XI (174-9) lost to Bromsgrove (178-4) by 6 wickets
Batting: A. Whitby 38, C. Goodwin-Tindall 32, E. Mullard 27, N. Johnson 18*.
Bowling: S. Pitt 2-, M. Martin 1-11, C. Goodwin-Tindall 1-.
After a disappointing performance on Bank Holiday Monday, Bridgnorth 2nd XI were looking to get back to winning ways and continue their push for a top three finish.
But another below-par performance may have put paid to these aspirations. The Bridgnorth top-order batted well and were in a strong position at 110-2 at drinks, but the loss of the returning Al Whitby and Conor Goodwin-Tindall signalled a mini-collapse. Whitby was dismissed for 38, and Goodwin-Tindall went for a patient 32 as he looked to recover some form.
There was some resistance from captain Ed Mullard who made a battling 27, and some late hitting from Neil Johnson (18*) as Bridgnorth stumbled to a below par 174-9.
Bromsgrove's reply got off to a poor start as Simon Pitt took two early wickets, reducing the away side to 10-2. However, from there on Bromsgrove were rarely troubled and went on to reach their target for the loss of four wickets with six overs remaining. The other wicket-takers were Matt Martin with 1-11 off six overs, and Goodwin-Tindall who also picked up a wicket.
Bridgnorth CC Sunday 1st XI v Walsall (Home)
Bridgnorth 1st XI (40-1), Walsall (161) - Match Abandoned
Batting: G. Lewis 24*.
Bowling: M. Martin 4-22, A. Thomas 2-17.
On a typical August day of cool temperatures, cloud and drizzle Bridgnorth took on Walsall at Cricket Meadow on Sunday.
The decision to put the visitors in to bat first in the overcast conditions looked to be the right one, as Bridgnorth made two early breakthroughs courtesy of tight bowling from Matt Martin. Wickets then fell at regular intervals and the runs dried up, as Walsall struggled in the tough conditions. Tight bowling from Alex Thomas, who took 2-17 off seven overs, and energetic fielding including a superb direct hit run out from Liam Brown, restricted Walsall to 90-6.
However, the young side let the tempo drop a little, allowing some late hitting from the Walsall captain as the run rate increased and the away side raced to their final total of 161 all out. There were two more wickets for Martin as he finished with an impressive 4-22 off his seven overs, and one for Gareth Mumford as he cleaned up the tail.
Bridgnorth then went out to bat in the squally conditions and were going well at 40-1 until the elements finally signalled an end to the game. Greg Lewis was left unbeaten on 24 as the match was abandoned.
