An excellent team performance with the ball, after the visitors decided to bat first in a delayed 35-overs-a-side contest, put Bridgnorth on top as Wellington’s batsmen struggled to get going.

Good opening spells from Cam Wallis (2-22) and Nick Gray were followed by excellent work from young seamers Lewis Hurdley (2-29) and Doug Roberts (3-11) who built pressure excellently thanks to a probing line and length. A few rash shots and a suicidal run out or two put the Cricket Meadow men in the driving seat, before a late tail-wag saw the visitors reach 132-9.

A further short, sharp shower mid-way through the first innings left Bridgnorth chasing a revised 123 from 31 overs for the winning draw, and a bright start from openers Ollie Gill (18) and Alex Yarnley (14) suggested a much needed positive result could be on its way.

Unfortunately, a batting line-up that has struggled for form this year began to buckle under the pressure of an accurate bowling attack and solid fielding, with only Wallis (17) displaying a degree of fluency in the middle order.

As the run-rate stagnated, and Wellington took control of the contest, it was left to two of Cricket Meadow’s talented youngsters to save the losing draw points. Ryan Wheldon (12*) and Patrick Smallman (15*) finished the job with few further alarms, and welcome late flourish took the eventual score to 102-7.

The 1st XI return home next week to host potential promotion rivals Streetly, whilst the 2nd XI travel to Streetly, and the 3rd XI host Whittington at Chelmarsh.