1st XI v Evesham (Home) - Won by 16 runs

A crucial late spell of three wickets for five runs in 14 balls from Nick Gray helped Bridgnorth clinch a close-fought 16-run victory over Division Three basement side Evesham at Cricket Meadow on Saturday, after Gareth Mumford (45*) had earlier played an important knock to take the hosts to a defendable total of 174.

Winning the toss and choosing to bat first in warm and sunny conditions, Bridgnorth’s top order struggled against Evesham’s overseas professional opening bowler Imran Ali (5-49). Comfortably the best seam bowler in the league for a number of years, opener Andy Carson (35) was the only top-order batsman to keep out the Pakistani first-class cricketer.

Jono Whitney (27) and skipper Mark MacPherson-Lees (27) both worked hard, but at 91-5 the Cricket Meadow men were struggling to reach a decent first innings score. Wicketkeeper-batsman Mumford then played the vital role to take his side to a respectable total, before they were dismissed in the 53rd over.

Despite missing opening bowler Tom Weaver, Bridgnorth’s bowlers worked well as a unit. Sam Whitney (4-43) and Jono (3-37) kept things tight against the visitors’ top order, but a seventh-wicket partnership of 67 appeared to be edging the Division Three strugglers towards their first win of the season at 150-6 with plenty of overs remaining.

However, the re-introduction of Gray (3-15) proved a master-stroke by captain MacPherson-Lees as the last four wickets fell for just eight runs in five overs. The resulting 24 points allows Bridgnorth to cement their current third-position in Birmingham & District Premier Cricket League Division Three, maintaining the pressure on top-two Penkridge and Tamworth, while next week’s clash against fourth-placed Penn will be a great opportunity to put further space between the top three and the rest.