Bridgnorth CC 1st XI v Whitchurch (Home)
Bridgnorth 1st XI (160-7) beat Whitchurch (159) by 3 wickets
Batting: D. Exall 74, G. Mumford 26*.
Bowling: T. Weaver 4-33, S. Whitney 2-47, D. Exall 2-26.
Bridgnorth CC are back on top of the Birmingham Premier Cricket League Third Division after completing a rare double over previous leaders Whitchurch. They came out on top by three wickets in Saturday's home fixture after a low-scoring tense affair in which both sides struggled to take a grip while batting.
Whitchurch lost the toss and were invited to bat first, and were soon in trouble at 45-5 as Tom Weaver ripped out a nervy top-order, in which only former Cricket Meadow man Ian Gregory (17) batted with any purpose. Even the league's leading run-scorer Maz Masnain scratched for his 10 before being bowled by Sam Whitney, before Amjaad Ali Khan (74) led a brave counter attack to push his side to 159 all out. Dave Exall bowled well in the latter stages.
Two early wickets in Bridgnorth's reply caused minor alarm, but Exall steadied the ship and looked to be leading his side home to a comfortable victory, before Ali Khan (4-42) claimed a clutch of wickets to swing the game.
However, an unbroken stand between Gaz Mumford and Sam Whitney (6*) claimed 20 points and top spot for the Cricket Meadow men. The victory was improved by the results lower down the table, meaning the top two now have a cushion in the promotion race.
Skipper Mark MacPherson-Lees was delighted with the performance as his side achieved a rare double over their county rivals. "It's good to beat the sides nearest to you as the race for the top spot nears its end" he said. "It's up to us to continue this form now to the final game of the season," added the skipper.
Bridgnorth CC 2nd XI v Coventry & North Warwickshire (Away)
Bridgnorth 2nd XI (162-9) beat Coventry (160-9) by 1 wicket
Batting: G. Lewis 34, N. Gray 26, J Shaw 19, R. Hughes 28*.
Bowling: S. Caine 5-53, N. Gray 1-24, A. Leather 2-41.
Bridgnorth 2nd XI battled hard for victory on Saturday in Coventry and came away with the points following a one-wicket success over a side pushing for promotion.
Batting first, the home side struggled against some disciplined bowling by Nick Gray and Andy Leather. The introduction of veteran spinner Steve Caine saw wickets tumble and the home side reached 152-9 from their allotted overs. Jimmy Shaw produced a fine spell of death bowling to help keep the total modest.
In reply, Bridgnorth got off to a flier, racing to 34 off five overs before Conor Goodwin-Tindall (10) misjudged a run. Greg Lewis and Gray continued the momentum, but then Bridgnorth wobbled after losing a clutch of wickets.
A stand of 31 between Shaw and Rob Hughes steadied the nerves before two wickets fell with the total on 143. With the last pair at the wicket, skipper Hughes hit the winning runs to keep Bridgnorth's survival hopes alive. However, results elsewhere mean they stay at the bottom of the league.
Bridgnorth CC 3rd XI v Wellington IV (Away)
Bridgnorth 3rd XI (161) lost to Wellington (189-8) by 28 runs
Batting: T. Weston 68, K. Osborne 32.
Bowling: L. Brown 4-60, T. Weston 2-22.
Bridgnorth 3rd XI came up short in their encounter wth Wellington at Orleton Park on Saturday.
Batting first, the home side reached a par looking 189-8 with Liam Brown (4-60) and Tom Weston (2-22) the pick of the Bridgnorth attack.
Weston then lead the reply with a well-crafted 68, and with fellow opener Kieran Osborne (32) he laid a platform for the run-chase.
Weston then lead the reply with a well-crafted 68, and with fellow opener Kieran Osborne (32) he laid a platform for the run-chase.
But only two other batsmen got into double figures as the reply fell away and 161 all out was not the result the early batsmen had hoped for.
