Bridgnorth (253-4) beat Eastnor (249) by six wickets

Coming together in the 15th over after a positive start from openers Karl Quiney (19) and captain James Ralph (41), the duo showed their class by running the fielders ragged with a demonstration of shot selection, placement and power.

Earlier, visitors Eastnor had won the toss and chosen to make first use of the same excellent batting wicket that saw over 440 runs scored in 40 overs when Worcestershire overcame Shropshire in their T20 match on Wednesday. Despite a couple of early wickets falling to opening bowlers Dave Exall (1-38) and Dale Quiney, the visitors cashed in some loose deliveries to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Sam Whitney (1-19) produced an excellent spell in the middle overs to peg Eastnor back, combining well with skipper Ralph (1-36) as the legspinning pair put Bridgnorth in control of the game. A typically good quality performance in the field supported the bowlers well, forcing big shots to be played towards the end of the visitors’ innings.

Tom Weston (2-65), returning to Cricket Meadow for his first game of the season, worked hard with the ball in the latter stages, and Quiney (2-66) returned to pick up his second, although by now the runs were flowing. Ian Gregory (2-18) bowled a few useful overs late in the piece, but a more accurate bowling performance overall would have limited Eastnor to less than the 249 runs they scored.

Bridgnorth were able to approach their run chase with confidence, knowing a batting line-up featuring five Minor Counties batsmen in the top six, and good run-scoring conditions, made them favourites to post their fifth victory in five games. However, Lockley and Gregory’s partnership, later described by vice-captain Sam Whitney as “possibly the best I’ve ever seen by two Bridgnorth players”, made the chase much easier than could have been imagined.

Whilst a couple of wickets fell late on, including Gregory for a fine 75 off 70 balls, the assured Lockley finished the job in the 42nd over, unbeaten on 92.

Next week sees the league return to the tradition win/lose/draw format, but the Cricket Meadow men will hope to maintain the winning habit, hosting Coventry & North Warwick.