BRIDGNORTH CC sit proudly on top of the Birmingham League third division after their rich vein of form continued with a home victory over promotion challengers Milford Hall on Saturday.
Bridgnorth 201-8 Milford Hall 134 all out
Batting first after losing the toss Bridgnorth made 201-8 from their 55 overs, built on brothers Tom (31) and Jono Whitney (30).
Skipper Mark Macpherson-Lees batted maturely to top score with 49 and added vital runs with the returning A J Smith {25} to give the bowlers a total to defend.
In reply an early wicket for Jono Whitney put the visiting batsmen into a defensive mind-set against an accurate bowling display backed by some high energy fielding.
The introduction of the third Whitney, leg-spinner Sam, saw wickets tumble as he earned the HQ Sports Bar man of the match with figures of 4-33 and bowling in tandem with his off spinning captain Macpherson-Lees {2-20} edged his side to victory.
Tom Weaver (2-30) claimed the last wicket in the last over with Milford Hall all out for 134 all out.
“It’s great to be sat on top of the league after all the toil of previous seasons” said an elated team manager Ray Perry. “But now its about hard work to maintain our lead.”
Bridgnorth 105 all ou Himley II 106-4
IN complete contrast Bridgnorth’s second string are rooted to the bottom of the reserve division one table after a woeful batting display at neighbours Himley saw them still winless in 2009.
Having lost the toss they batted first on a typical green top and had little answer to the pace of Dave Willis (3-23), being skittled for 105.
Of the early batsmen ,only youngster Ed Lewis {39} appeared equipped and the only other player to reach double figures was Simon Pitt (17) batting at number ten.
Pitt (2-29) and Lewis (2-22 ) then worked hard to repair the job but after an early stutter the home side cruised home by six wickets.
*A report last week wrongly stated that Andy Leather took 4-29 in helping Bridgnorth seconds beat Old Wulfs. This should have been attributed to his son, Ben. Our apologies to Andy and Ben for the mistake.
Bridgnorth III 207 all out Overton-on-Dee 79 all out
BRIDGNORTH’s third team made the long trek into Wales but returned more than satisfied with their 128-run victory.
Batting first the visitors reached a useful 207 all out with opener Glenn Edwards, returning from injury, top scoring with 90 hitting nine fours and a six.
Youngsters Kieran Osbourne (37) and Harry Broad (27) helped boost the total.
The Welshmen had little answer to the accuracy of Liam Brown (4-18) and his fellow bowlers who shared the rest of the wickets as they slipped meekly to 79 all out.