Bridgnorth CC 1st XI v Bablake Old Boys (Away)
Bridgnorth 1st XI (149) lost to Bablake (152-6) by 4 wickets
Batting: P. Thompson 49, G. Mumford 31, A. Carson 22.
Bowling: T. Weaver 2-31, A. Leather 2-35.
Bridgnorth 1st XI's indifferent early season form continued as they fell to a 4-wicket defeat away to Coventry-based outfit Bablake Old Boys.
Batting first, Bridgnorth found the going difficult as they crept to 96-5, with Andy Carson once again in the runs with 22. Middle-order men Pete Thompson (49) and Gareth Mumford (31) got the innings going again but a collapse from the tail left Thompson stranded, and was the last man to fall being caught in the deep. Bridgnorth's all-out total of 149 in 50.5 overs looked to be short but after last week's victory from a similar position, they knew they were still in the game.
However, Bridgnorth's bowlers could not make the necessary inroads this time, as Bablake timed their chase perfectly by reaching the required total in the 49th over of their innings. Tom Weaver (2-31) was the pick of the visitor's bowling attack, whilst Andy Leather bowled a spell of 17 miserly overs to record 2-35.
Bridgnorth CC 2nd XI v Halesowen (Home)
Bridgnorth 2nd XI (146-4) beat Halesowen (142) by 6 wickets
Batting: G. Edwards 38, M. Martin 28, A. Breakwell 27*, E. Mullard 23.
Bowling: S. Caine 5-38, A. Breakwell 2-17, G. Lewis 2-25.
Bridgnorth 2nd XI chalked up their first league victory of the season with a morale boosting 6-wicket victory at home to a strong Halesowen side on Saturday.
Halesowen won the toss and opted to make first use of the Cricket Meadow wicket, and flew out of the blocks to 35-0 off just 5 overs. The introduction of the invaluable Steve Caine changed the whole pace of the innings however, as the visitors struggled to master the wily spinner, and he grabbed 5-38 off 21 overs. At the other end, Greg Lewis (2-25) continued his early-season promise, and was followed by experienced left-arm tweaker Andy Breakwell (2-17). As a result, Halesowen fell to 142 all out in 48 overs.
Bridgnorth's reply got off to the best possible start with skipper Eddie Mullard (23) and second-in-command Glenn Edwards (38) leading from the front with an opening partnership of 58. Despite a mid-innings wobble, including Matt Martin for 28, Bridgnorth strolled to their target, their dominance confirmed with Andy Breakwell (27*) winning the game by hitting a six. Bridgnorth finished victorious by six wickets, still with 15 overs remaining.
Bridgnorth CC 3rd XI v Newport (Away)
Bridgnorth 3rd XI (29) lost to Newport (200-7d) by 171 runs
Batting: J. Jones 12.
Bowling: J. Jones 2-32, E. Pottinger 2-27, M. Weston 2-34.
Bridgnorth 3rd XI continued their poor start to the season as they suffered an extremely heavy defeat away at Edgmond against Newport 3rds on Saturday.
The home side batted first, and reached 200-7 in just 35 overs, whereupon they declared their innings over. For Bridgnorth left-arm paceman Josh Jones led the way with 2-32 off nine overs, with able support from the day's captain Mark Weston (2-34), and youngster Elliot Pottinger (2-27).
After tea, Bridgnorth's batting fragility once again reared its ugly head as the visitors were shot out for just 29 in 10 overs. Jones (12) was the only man to reach double figures, as Newport recorded a comprehensive 171-run victory.
