Bridgnorth CC 1st XI v Studley (Home)
Bridgnorth 1st XI (234-6) beat Studley (87) by 147 runs
Batting: P. Thompson 65*, G. Mumford 36, A. Carson 35, D. Exall 34.
Bowling: T. Weaver 6-20.
Bridgnorth got their Birmingham Cricket League season off with a bang on Saturday by thumping Studley in the third division fixture by 147 runs at home.
Bridgnorth were invited to bat first on a seasonally green Cricket Meadow wicket and made a solid start with Jono Whitney (35) and Andy Carson (35) seeing the shine off the new ball. Newcomer Dave Exall (34) and Matt Martin (18) gave the innings impetous with some intelligent stroke play.
Peter Thompson top-scored with 64 not out, and aided by a breezy 36 off 19 balls from Gaz Mumford, Bridgnorth were able to post a handy 234-6 off their allotted overs.
In reply, the visitors had few answers to the swing of Tom Weaver, and limped to 45-4 as Bridgnorth's fielding backed up the bowling. Skipper Mark MacPherson-Lees claimed 3-21 before the reintroduction of Weaver, who finished with figures of 6-20 to end the job as Studley folded to 85 all out.
Weaver was named the HQ Sports Bar Man of the Match, but MacPherson-Lees was quick to praise the efforts of the whole team. "We have shown our potential as a unit and it is now up to the team to maintain this level of performance," he said.
Bridgnorth CC 2nd XI v Kidderminster Victoria (Away)
Bridgnorth 2nd XI (102) lost to Kidderminster Victoria (103-1) by 9 wickets
Batting: C. Goodwin-Tindall 26, J. Shaw 17.
Bowling: S. Pitt 1-.
Bridgnorth's second string faced a difficult opener against Kidderminster Victoria. Relegated from the Premier Division last season, the Chester Road men made light of their visitors.
The experienced John Logan (7-31) used the good bowling conditions to his advantage, as only Connor Goodwin-Tindall (26) and Jimmy Shaw (17) reached double figures in the visitors all out total of 102.
A wicket for Simon Pitt in his first over, thanks to a well-judged running catch by Ed Lewis, was to be Bridgnorth's only joy, as first team regular Toby Kimberlin (63 not out) scored freely, taking his side past their target in only 14 overs. That said, Kimberlin rode his luck and had the balls gone to hand, the visitors may have returned with a better looking result.
Bridgnorth CC 3rd XI v Ludlow & South Shropshire (Home)
Bridgnorth 3rd XI (52-1) beat Ludlow (51) by 9 wickets
Batting: D. Taylor 31*.
Bowling: T. Baugh 3-7, L. Brown 2-6, W. Buxton 2-11.
Bridgnorth 3rd XI's season continued in a winning vein after a comprehensive nine-wicket drubbing of Ludlow.
Ludlow batted first after losing the toss and only one of their batsmen reached double figures as Tom Baugh (3-7), Will Buxton (2-11) and Liam Brown (2-6) hurried their hosts out for just 51.
Bridgnorth made equally rapid progress in chasing as Dan Taylor (31 not out) scored freely and the target was passed for the loss of just one wicket.
Bridgnorth CC 1st XI v Grasshoppers (Home)
Bridgnorth 1st XI (156-4) beat Grasshoppers (154) by 6 wickets
Batting: R. Hughes 56*.
Bowling: A. Thomas 4-23.
Sunday's fixture saw Bridgnorth comfortable winners against visitors Grasshoppers, who batted first.
Alex Thomas claimed four early wickets to put them in some disarray before they rallied to post 156 all out.
Bridgnorth's reply saw contributions from Mark MacPherson-Lees (31), Gaz Mumford (25) and top scorer Rob Hughes (58 not out) as the target was passed with three overs to spare, for the loss of four wickets.
