BRIDGNORTH cricketer Jono Whitney produced a sparkling all-round performance to help Shropshire dramatically edge out Northumberland on Sunday and help maintain hopes of qualification to the quarter-finals of the MCCA Trophy.
Whitney completed a superb century and then took four wickets as the county side ultimately won by 45 runs at Oswestry. Shropshire were struggling at 93-7 when Whitney knuckled down with vice-captain Matt Tilt to rebuild the innings and scored 102 off 109 balls – the first one-day Minor Counties century – before being dismissed in the 48th over.
His contribution helped Shropshire total 230-9 and he then had the final word to take 4-33 to rip through the Northumberland tail-enders as the visitors were dismissed for 185. It leaves Shropshire facing a ‘winners take all’ trip to Audley, where they face Staffordshire on Sunday.
Bridgnorth 139 Berkswell 140-3
BRIDGNORTH skipper Mark MacPherson-Lees is looking for a change in fortune as the Cricket Meadow men prepare for a Birmingham League second division local derby against St Georges tomorrow.
“We need to value our wickets and set sides bigger challenges,” he said, after the side had disappointingly lost at home to Berkswell on Saturday. “The match against St Georges gives us our best chance of starting again,” he added.
Bridgnorth lost wickets at regular intervals and closed on 139 all out with most of the damage being done by last season’s leading wicket-taker Babar Khan who took 5-42. MacPherson-Lees made top score of 37 not out, while Ryan Lockley grafted well to make 33.
Bridgnorth snapped up three quick Berkswell wickets to give them some hope of success, but the total was too low to defend and former Warwickshire batsman Dominic Ostler (36 not out) led his side’s charge to victory with captain James Neale (41 not out).
Bridgnorth II 192-8 Olton & West Warwicks II 182-7
BRIDGNORTH seconds won the toss and played some positive cricket after electing to bat first. They made a strong start thanks to opener Andrew Carson (56) and Glenn Edwards (23) and then Pete Thompson continued the momentum before Olton bowler Craig Chapman struck to take 5-55.
Young Bridgnorth batsman Tom Weston (25 not out) helped his side to a total of 192-8 off 50 overs. In reply, Olton opener Lewis (96 not out) kept his side in the hunt, but the experience of bowlers Andy Leather (2-49), Liam Brown (2-63) and Steve Caine (3-43) kept the run flow in check.
Olton finished on 182-7 and Bridgnorth claimed a winning draw from an exciting game.
The thirds home match against MEB Sports was cancelled because MEB have dropped out of the league after being unable to get a side. Bridgnorth host a match between the Shropshire and Worcestershire under-15s sides on Sunday (start 1pm).
