1st XI v Penkridge (Home) - Won by 7 wickets (D/L Method)

Bridgnorth pulled off an unexpected but well-earned victory against Birmingham & District Premier Cricket League Division Three title favourites Penkridge in another rain-affected contest at Cricket Meadow.

Skipper Mark MacPherson-Lees chose to bowl first under unsettled overhead conditions, a decision that appeared vindicated when opening bowlers Tom Weaver and Jono Whitney reduced the visitors to 9-2 in the first eight overs. Weaver (1-15) bowled a miserly 10-over spell straight through to instil some scoreboard pressure, whilst Whitney (2-59) was delighted to remove Penkridge dangerman Attiq Chishti early on. The former opening batsman for Premier Division side Knowle & Dorridge, and highly successful Shropshire player, is widely tipped to score heavily this season, and his dismissal for just a single was a big confidence booster for the home side.

Penkridge, however, hit back with a chanceless century from Rana Hassan, but rain once again played its part in play. A 20-minute break mid-way through Penkridge’s innings appeared to affect the visitors’ momentum, although the middle-order continued to play positively.

Bridgnorth’s bowlers tried hard to keep things tight late on, and with good assistance from an able fielding unit, kept Penkridge to 248-8 after 50 overs. The other wickets were shared around, with a brace for Sam Whitney (2-56), and one apiece for Ben Leather and MacPherson-Lees.

In reply, Bridgnorth openers Andy Carson and Harry Martin faced up to a stiff early test from Kuwait international opening-bowler Muhammad Murad, who accounted for Carson with the score on 19. Martin (23) worked hard to see off the danger of the new ball, and combined with an ominously poised James Ralph for a useful 66-run partnership.

At 85-2 Ralph was joined by Jono Whitney and, despite the odd edgy moment, the Shropshire pair took Bridgnorth to 126-2 when rain stopped play once again in the 22nd over.

When play resumed, an adjusted target of 201 off 36 overs was set for victory, and Whitney and Ralph set about the chase with gusto. Both men seemed able to hit boundaries at will, and the result quickly became a formality. The late dismissal of Ralph for 86 was just a minor hiccup as Bridgnorth secured victory with Whitney (70*) finishing the job with more than four overs to spare.

Bridgnorth will hope to continue their early-season momentum with a trip to Streetly next week.