Bridgnorth (191) lost to Smethwick (194-3) by 7 wickets

League leaders Smethwick proved too much for Bridgnorth on Saturday, as the Cricket Meadow men worked hard to reach a competitive total, before the visitors reached their target with comparative ease.

Skipper Sam Whitney won the toss and chose to bat first, and despite losing a wicket in the first over they made a decent start through Dave Exall and James Ralph. However, this season's batting narrative unfortunately continued in a similar vein as top order wickets tumbled, with Bridgnorth reduced to 101-7 despite James Ralph's first half century of the season.

After a similar rescue mission earlier in the season, Mark MacPherson-Lees and Gareth Mumford again combined to produce a much-needed partnership in the lower order. MacPherson-Lees remained watchful, whilst Mumford continued to show his excellent form with the bat this season by hitting a counter-attacking 46.

The pair added 69 runs between them before MacPherson-Lees was dismissed for 24, leaving Whitney and Cam Wallis add a further tail wag, before Bridgnorth innings was ended in the final over for 191.

In reply, Dave Exall (2-24) gave his side a valuable early breakthrough in the second over, and a second wicket with the score on 33 appeared to put the game back in the balance. Charlie Morris also bowled a great spell with the new ball but ultimately went unrewarded.

Skipper Whitney made numerous bowling changes in an attempt to break what would become a game-clinching 122-run 3rd wicket partnership, but former IPL star Amitoze Singh's unbeaten 83 and Smethwick skipper Vikram Sodhi's 71 proved too much for the Cricket Meadow men.

The hosts worked valiantly to the end, and took the game to the 53rd over, but dropped catches prevented a late fightback as the visitors ended the match as seven-wicket victors.

"This was a good performance from us," said skipper Whitney after the game, "but the luck just didn't go our way today. The batting is showing signs of improvement, and bowlers showed good control, but we need to build partnerships early on. We've facing some high-quality bowling attacks this season, and need to tighten up our game in the top order. We also shelled some chances today, but overall I was fairly happy with our performance in the field."

"It's vital that we keep putting in the hard yards to turn around our fortunes and get some results, but we've got more important games coming up. We are improving, but there's still work to do."

Bridgnorth travel to Old Hill on Saturday, who are currently bottom of BDPCL Division One.