1st XI v Quatt (Home) - Won by 119 runs

Bridgnorth produced a good all-round performance to come out on top of the eagerly awaited local derby with neighbours Quatt at Cricket Meadow.

In a match reduced by rain to 46 overs per side, the visitors won the toss and chose to bowl first under cloudy skies. Bridgnorth openers worked hard against an accurate new ball attack as Jonathan Edwards (3-59) and Gareth Jones (1-31) kept things tight early on.

James Ralph (38) added momentum to the hosts innings, whilst Jono Whitney (56) batted purposefully as Bridgnorth built towards a strong first innings total. After showing some initial nerves against his former club, Peter Thompson (46) also played with purpose to push his side on. Matt Martin (15) batted around a late clatter of wickets as spinner Jimmy Arbuckle (3-49) chipped away late on, as the Cricket Meadow men finished on a respectable 221-8.

In reply, the visitors’ top-order were undone by Jono Whitney and Tom Weaver (1-20), as the duo reduced Quatt to 15-3 early on. Skipper Adrian Evans and Ben Speake then set about rebuilding the response, and appeared to be bringing their side back into the contest when spinner James Ralph (1-13) removed Speake for a hard-fought 34.

Stand-in captain Sam Whitney (2-22) continued to turn the game firmly back into Bridgnorth’s hands, but it was Jono (5-34) who produced what first team coach Steve Caine later described as “the best bowling performance I’ve seen from him for a few seasons”. He returned to remove the tail to complete his five-wicket haul, and dismiss the visitors for 102, sealing a 119-run victory.

Having now reached third-place in Birmingham & District Premier Cricket League Division Three, Bridgnorth will hope to continue their good run of results when they travel to Kings Heath on Saturday.