Bridgnorth (97) lost to Sutton Coldfield (211-9) by 114 runs
Promotion is secured, but batting collapse sees Bridgnorth fall to first defeat of 2015, but maintain their league lead...
Sutton Coldfield have proven to be Bridgnorth's bogey side in what has otherwise been a stellar season, and after clinging on for a losing draw in the earlier reverse fixture, the Cricket Meadow men found themselves well beaten on home turf.
After skipper James Ralph had won the toss and invited the visitors to bat first, Sutton started solidly despite an excellent opening spell from the unlucky Dale Quiney. The introduction of spin, however, appeared to change the momentum of the game.
On a pitch that suited him well, Sam Whitney rose to the challenge to make the much needed breakthrough, and removed the top four batsmen in an impressive spell to leave the game in the balance.
The middle order then dug in to effect a recovery before Whitney (5-24) made another important impact during the power play, followed soon after by Quiney (1-35) who took a well deserved wicket.
Sutton continued to push for runs, however, and despite a wicket apiece for Ralph, Tom Weston and Ian Gregory, the visitors finished their 50 overs on a commanding 211-9.
On a pitch that required good application to score runs, Bridgnorth got off to the worst possible start by losing Gregory in the second over. With the visiting bowling attack on song, further top order wickets saw the Cricket Meadow men reeling at 49-6 in the eighteenth over, as their unbeaten record appeared to be going up in smoke.
Dave Exall (19), the only man in the top seven to reach double figures, was joined by Gareth Mumford (22) as they attempted to arrest the slide, an effort continued by Whitney (15) after Exall's dismissal, but it would all end in vain. The inevitable was confirmed in the 30th over, seeing the Cricket Meadow men dismissed for just 97, as even rain breaks failed to save them.
Spirits were lifted upon hearing that other results confirmed promotion, and despite the defeat, Bridgnorth remain top of Division Two. But the lead over second-placed Sutton was cut to just 11 points with four matches remaining.