Worfield & Quatt u15s (268-7) beat Shifnal u15s (191) by 77 runs
RARELY does a batsman record four centuries in a season so it’s most exceptional if it is achieved by the end of May.
But that’s just what Tom Pickerill did with a sumptuous knock of 182 that captivated the eye and set Worfield & Quatt Under 15s up for an excellent victory against near neighbours Shifnal.
Worfield & Quatt batted first and took advantage of good batting conditions on Shifnal’s splendid second ground at Weston-under-Lizard.
Pickerill soon announced his intentions with four boundaries off the first full over he faced and immediately scattered Shifnal’s fielders into a defensive mode.
Scott Knowles (22), Luke Simpson (13) and Jake Rowlands (11) provided useful support, but it was Pickerill, with 24 ‘fours’ and four ‘sixes’ that left Shifnal’s careworn bowlers shell-shocked by his exquisite array of punishing strokes.
Pickerill was eventually caught off the penultimate ball of the Worfield & Quatt innings which closed after 40 overs on an impressive 268 for 7.
Credit must go to Shifnal’s batsmen who never gave-up the chase despite the mountainous task they faced, with Alex Riley (42), Seam Lorimer (33), Joe Rose (24) and Andy May (21) putting in determined efforts to keep-up with the run rate until they perished.
Knowles (2 for 15) and Ben Henshaw (2 for 31) produced the best bowling figures for Worfield & Quatt who eventually ran out comfortable winners by 77 runs as Shifnal’s tail waned and any threat they posed was quelled as Worfield & Quatt were determined to cling to their unbeaten record and leadership of the East Shropshire Under-15 Cricket League.
Only last week, Tom, 15, made his first century for Worfield’s first XI, finishing on 132 as the village team beat rivals Frankton.