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Games
2011 Season
Week 17 - Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th August
1st XI v Eastnor (Home) - Lost by 3 wickets
Bridgnorth looked to put their season back on track with victory over struggling Eastnor but suffered a reverse that now has the Cricket Meadow men nervously watching their backs as they are closer in points to the relegation zone than to promotion that looked a real possibility only a month ago.
Batting first at home again proved to be worryingly difficult for a much vaunted batting line-up as Andrew Carson (35), promoted after his run of form in the seconds, top scored in his sides below par 185 all out though this could have been even less but for a spirited innings from Gaz Mumford (25 not out off 57 balls) batting at number 10 and adding 30 for the last wicket with Tom Weaver (16).Earlier Dave Exall (20) had looked in touch before shouldering arms to one that clattered into the timbers and Jack Edwards (26) had promised before being squared up by the off spinner.
Early wickets were to be the key for a positive outcome and Jono Whitney lead the way with the ball as the all-rounder claimed 5-33 and Tom Weaver 1-36 to keep hopes alive but a telling partnership between Faisil Khalid (70) and the journeyman Atiq-ur-Rehman who remained unbeaten on 76 snuffed out the spinners, who have made telling contributions this season, taking their side over the line with three wickets and overs to spare.
The disappointment was tangible after the game as the hosts cling to fourth place but the pack to avoid relegation gathers as only 33 points separate Bridgnorth from bottom side Fordhouses.
2nd XI v Shifnal (Away) - Winning Draw
Second placed Bridgnorth made the short trip to neighbours Shifnal looking to keep their promotion push alive following their recent run of good results.
Batting first on losing the toss Bridgnorth got off to a good start scoring freely before the loss of Nick Gray (17) started a mini collapse as only opener Tom Weston looked competent against the medium pacers. Brothers Greg (19) and Ed Lewis (17) kept the teenager company in vital stands before Weston was eighth man out looking to accelerate the teams score for a high quality 94. Bridgnorth’s tail wagged sufficiently to post 178 all out in the last over.
Shifnal’s reply got a steady start with openers Martin Moreton (17) and Dan Cotter (21) looking comfortable against the new ball before the former was well caught behind the wicket by skipper Rob Hughes. The hosts then came unstuck against the experienced duo of Andy Leather (3-8) and Steven Caine (5-23) before a rain break calmed the wicket and reduced the overs.
Nonetheless the visitors were frustrated by last wicket pair of Sam Cotter (8 not out) and Shahin Jogi (14 not out) who survived unbeaten for 12 overs to stop Bridgnorth claiming maximum points and moving clear at the top of Division One.
3rd XI v Hales (Home) - Won by 194 runs
Bridgnorth third team continue their quest for silverware this season with a demolition of visitors Hales who returned to North Shropshire to nurse the wounds of a 194 run defeat.
Batting first the hosts racked up an imposing 239-7 off their 40 overs with runs for Ollie Gill (61) Ian Gough (68) and Liam Brown (24) though the latter batting contributed only perishing in the run feast.
Hales in reply came up against the merciless opening duo of Alex Thomas (5-19) and Liam Brown (5-20), who claimed a hat-trick, and fell away to 45 all out to send the young Bridgnorth side home early to plot their route to the title. They sit one point behind leaders Newport and the coming fixture between the pair looks like the title decider.
Skipper Pete Oliver was delighted with the way his team has responded to the challenge of a promotion race “We have the difficulty at selection of having to leave players out but the players rise to the challenge each game to give us a selection headache rare at this level of cricket”, he said. “We now have to keep winning and taking the pressure of each big game.”
