Despite previous batting struggles this year, the visitors final total of 246-9 off 50 overs was built largely around a 142-run partnership between Ed Fowler and Swapnil Mundra, after Ian Gregory (2-47) had struck twice with the new ball. Overseas legspinner Jed Schwarzbach (3-45) eventually broke what would be a match-defining stand in the 37th over, before fellow spinners Matt Martin (2-52) and Peter Scott (1-40) ran through the middle order.

In response, Bridgnorth were unable to put together a similar combination with the bat as wickets fell at regular intervals, slipping to 108-7 in the 30th over. An excellent counter-attacking effort from Ross Hurdley was far and away the best contribution, as his 81-ball 68 hinted at what could have been with stronger earlier support.

Ultimately falling 56 runs short, the Cricket Meadow men travel to Montgomery this weekend, looking for a big performance to get their season back on track.

Bridgnorth II (75) lost to Iscoyd & Fenns Bank (246-3) by 171 runs

The second team suffered a heavy loss on the road at Iscoyd Park on Saturday as the home side put in a dominant display.

A positive start with the ball saw Bridgnorth reduce their hosts to 40-2 after 10 overs, but from then Iscoyd took firm control with some powerful hitting to all parts of the ground. Unfortunately, the reply never really got going either, as they were bowled out in the 16th over.

Bridgnorth III (200-7) beat Chelmarsh (199) by three wickets

The third team continued their fine start to the season by pulling off an excellent run chase in game that went down to the wire.

Chelmarsh made a good start with the bat after losing the toss, with Matt Evans and Andy Unitt both hitting half centuries. Key breakthroughs from Dileep Sagar (2-26) and Ethan Osborne-Welch (1-38) followed, before a superb spell of 6-24 from legspinner Alfie Proctor saw him run through the visitors’ middle order.

Despite the loss of two early wickets in the run chase, Rich Ealey and Jack Welch (26) combined to rebuild the innings, before Sagar and Osborne-Welch offered further support. But the dismissal of Ealey for a well-made 52 at the top of the order put the match right in the balance.

However, an ultimately match-winning stand between Shashi Cherukuri (39 not out) and highly promising youngster Ollie Shinebaum (31) saw the pair calmly accumulate the runs needed with a pair of composed knocks under pressure, as the victory was clinched with eight balls to spare.