Bridgnorth (147-8) beat Coventry & North Warwick (146) by two wickets

Bridgnorth clinched a record eighth consecutive victory in a single Birmingham League season, but the batting line-up were forced to make full use of its resources in chasing a seemingly modest total.

With skipper James Ralph winning the toss and choosing to bowl first, Dale Quiney produced another strong opening spell to put the visitors on the back foot. Three early wickets included the key scalp of Cumbria's Jonathan Miles for just four runs, whilst ever reliable wicketkeeper Gareth Mumford took four good catches behind the stumps.

Tom Weston then continued the good work with the ball by maintaining the pressure on the middle order, taking three wickets of his own whilst conceding just 25 runs from his 10 overs.

Coventry's lower order then began something of a recovery, taking their side past three figures and threatening to post a strong first innings total. However, Ian Gregory made the important breakthrough before Quiney (4-41) returned to take a further wicket in his final over. Ralph (2-21) then finished off the tail as the hosts were dismissed for 146 in the 40th over.

Chasing what appeared to be an undemanding total, Weston was dismissed early before Karl Quiney fell to an unnecessary run-out. Ryan Lockley and Simon Gregory then worked hard to rebuild the innings, with Lockley in particular becoming more fluent before being out leg before to a good delivery for 31.

Dave Exall followed the very next ball, whereupon Ian Gregory joined his brother in the middle and the pair took their side past three figures. Four wickets then fell in quick succession as Coventry threatened to subject the Cricket Meadow men to their first defeat of the season.

However, Simon Gregory (47 not out) continued to play solidly and maturely to settle the nerves, before debutant Patrick Smallman joined him to take Bridgnorth over the winning line in the 41st over.

This Saturday sees Bridgnorth face a stern test as they take on league title rivals Sutton Coldfield at Cricket Meadow, who are the side to push the current BDPCL Division Two leaders closest to defeat in 2015.