1st XI v Streetly (Away) - Lost by 8 runs

After last week’s encouraging victory against Penkridge at Cricket Meadow, Bridgnorth were disappointed with a last gasp defeat away at Staffordshire outfit Streetly.

Chasing 222 to win, Bridgnorth had slipped to 156-8 in the 36th over, before wicket-keeper batsman Gareth Mumford (35*) went on the offensive to haul his side back into contention. He was joined by last man Tom Weaver with 28 runs still required for victory, an outcome that was starting to look likely when Weaver was adjudicated caught behind just eight runs short.

Earlier, captain Mark MacPherson-Lees had won the toss and chosen to bowl in useful conditions, and opening bowlers Weaver (1-30) and Jono Whitney had kept things fairly tight early on.

The Streetly top-order worked hard though, and a steady 96-run partnership for the second wicket placed the hosts in a good position at 114-1 in the 33rd over. Sam Whitney had bowled a tight spell up to this point to keep the hosts run-rate in check, but it was Tom Weston (2-31) who made the breakthrough.

A late charge from Streetly upped the run-rate, but the wickets tumbled as Jono Whitney (2-50) and MacPherson-Lees (2-33) picked up the spoils, while Nick Gray removed the dangerous Revenkar when well set on 58.

Bridgnorth began the chase well with Andy Carson (21) and Harry Martin, before last week’s batting heroes Whitney (41) and Ralph (39) combined to put the visitors ahead in the contest.

However, both men were dismissed when well set, and a middle-order collapse saw Bridgnorth find themselves struggling at 156-8. Despite the aforementioned efforts of the Cricket Meadow men’s enviably deep batting reserves, the win was finally denied in the 46th over.

A trip to struggling Worcester Nomads will give Bridgnorth a good chance to return to winning ways next week.