Bridgnorth 266-7 Harborne 171-6
BRIDGNORTH’S cricket square continued to be a table for run-feasting on Saturday as the Cricket Meadow batsmen put the visiting Harborne attack to the sword. It followed more than 1,000 runs scored in the three days of the county match earlier in the week.
Batting first in the Birmingham League match, the town team recovered from the early loss of Jono Whitney – struggling to find club form with the bat – to post a challenging 266-7 from their 55 overs.
Top order runs for the ex-Ludlow duo of Ryan Lockley (22) and Jack Edwards (37) set the base for the promoted Nick Gray (24) to provide some impetus, before the telling innings of skipper Mark Macpherson-Lees (52) and Gaz Mumford (75 not out) as the ‘keeper-batsman cut loose to return to the run form and power that worried opponents previously.
The Birmingham-based visitors then limped along, losing early wickets as Tom Weaver (3-28) – returning from his Minor Counties debut – and Edwards (2-47) ripped into the top order.
A patient, unbeaten 86 from Tom Davies steered a cautious Harborne innings to 171-6 at the close.
Bridgnorth were happy to take 16 points from the draw having played much of the cricket but manager Ray Perry felt that the team had eased off the pedal in the field.
“After a good batting display and getting them four down quickly we lost some intensity out there and once he was in Davies proved difficult to move” he said. “Next week sees the season at halfway and halfway up a new league is a good place to kick on from” he added.
Bridgnorth II 192-8 Smethwick II 170-7
BRIDGNORTH seconds travelled to Smethwick for a mid-table clash and came away with the lion’s share of the points after they played the more positive cricket.
Batting first Bridgnorth made 192-8 from their 50 overs with Glenn Edwards (71) top scoring and making a welcome return to form with the bat. Greg Lewis (41) also provided handy runs as did Carlin Anderson (20 not out) depositing a huge six onto a team-mates windscreen.
In reply Smethwick struggled against the swing of Tom Baugh (3-60) and Liam Brown (3-43) and shut up shop early settling for a draw on 170-7 and only really pressed in the last overs as the visitors crowded the bat in search of wickets for victory.
The draw points keep the Cricket Meadow outfit in touch with the top sides as halfway in the season approaches.
Wroxeter II 193-5 Bridgnorth III 100
THE thirds visited table-topping Wroxeter and were on the receiving end of a thumping as they slumped to 100 all out in reply to the home side’s 193-5.
On an otherwise disappointing day, Will Reid showed promise with 30 runs and there were wickets for Cam Wallis and Alex Thomas, while birthday boy Elliot Pottinger claimed a run out.