Bridgnorth (198-8) beat Wombourne (159) by 39 runs

Karl Quiney chose the perfect time to compile first Birmingham League century for Bridgnorth, as he anchored a winning first innings total after a tricky start for the Cricket Meadow men.

Inserted by the opposition, Wombourne's opening bowlers gave nothing away in a tight start, and were backed up by some good work in the field as the hosts stuttered to 33-3 in the 18th over as seamer David Hemming took 3-21.

Dave Exall was the first to provide Quiney with solid support with the pair putting on 54 for the fourth wicket to arrest the early slide. The runs continued to trickle, and scoreboard pressure told as Exall (27) was caught on the boundary as he attempted to break loose.
Tom Weston played in positive fashion and was extremely unlucky to be run out at the non-strikers end as Quiney's straight drive deflected off the bowlers fingers and into the stumps.

At 114-6 in the 43rd over, the arrival of Tom Weaver finally brought some much needed impetus to the innings, as Quiney also began to accelerate. The pair added 49 in just seven overs, as Quiney's early watchfulness paid off. His classic opener's knock culminated in him reaching a well deserved century in the penultimate over, with Bridgnorth finishing strongly on 198-8 off 55 overs.

In reply, Wombourne made a solid start as their openers attacked anything off length. First change bowler Tom Weston then produced a probing spell and made the first breakthrough at 31-1 with wicketkeeper Gareth Mumford gratefully accepting a snick behind. Sam Whitney followed by claiming an lbw shortly after, but the visitors' response was to attack immediately. The middle order began to look more assured, and a couple of dropped catches hinted that Bridgnorth's unbeaten run could be under pressure.

However, an inspired Dale Quiney returned with a hostile second spell and was rewarded with the vital wicket of the dangerous Diwan for 16. From that point, the Cricket Meadow men tightened the screw and the run-rate slowed, as Wombourne's middle order weren't allowed to settle in.

Opener Ahmed remained as the only real threat as Sam Whitney continued his recent form to pick up 4-44 and Exall 2-18 as the visitors collapsed to 114-7. But as the tail fought hard, the draw began to seem the most likely result, even when Whitney made it 149-8 in the 50th over as Mumford completed a tight stumping.

Skipper James Ralph then made his best move of the day to bring back Tom Weston, who made the much needed impact immediately to dismiss the obdurate Ahmed for 87, before Weston completed the win with an excellent catch off Dale Quiney (2-40) to trigger joyful scenes from his team.