SATURDAY’S mid-table clash with Cannock saw Bridgnorth claim victory to guarantee Division Two cricket next season, with the team now eyeing a top three finish for 2010. The Cricket Meadow men made a cautious start with Ryan Lockley (16) and top scorer Dave Exall (48) at the top of the order.
A mini collapse saw them in danger at 94-4 before Pete Thompson (21) and Jack Edwards (33) played positively to help the total to 169 all out in the 52nd over.
Not using up the overs then proved vital as the visitors were bowled out in the first extra over in their reply for 156. Leg spinner Sam Whitney led the way for the bowlers with 3-29 with Jono Whitney on 2-16 off 17 overs.
There were wickets for Edwards (2-46) Macpherson-Lees (2-15) and Exall (1-1) from just two balls of the first extra over, as the visitors fell 13 runs short at 156 all out.
Water Orton 210-8 Bridgnorth 172 all out
BANK Holiday saw Bridgnorth make the trek to Warwickshire to face another mid table side. Water Orton made a challenging 210-8 despite the best efforts of Jack Edwards (2-32), Sam Whitney (2-52) and Mark Macpherson-Lees (3-64).
In reply the visitors were always struggling against one of the best seam attacks in the Birmingham League. Having slumped to 34-3 Jono Whitney (47) and Peter Thompson (35) affected a but the later order batsmen failed to build on their efforts. Connor Goodwin-Tindall, batting at an eyebrow raising number 10, did contribute with 24 but the chase fizzled out on 172 all out.
Cannock II 123-7 Bridgnorth II 225-3
BRIDGNORTH’S seconds travelled to Cannock still in the hunt for promotion back to Division 1 and came away with a decent points haul from a winning draw after a fine batting performance. Bridgnorth lost Glenn Edwards without a run on the board before a crucial partnership between Andrew Carson (78) and Tom Weston put on 160 for the second wicket before a cameo from Matt Martin (31) helped the total to 225-3 with Weston unbeaten on 90.
Cannock in reply were in trouble as Liam Brown (3-23) produced an accurate spell to remove the top order with the miserly Andrew Leather (2-32) before a rain break reduced the game by five overs. Steven Caine (2-33) coped well with the wet ball to keep the pressure on but the rain break proved crucial in halting the charge for maximum points and the hosts reached safety at 123-7 at the close.
Bridgnorth II v Barnt Green II
BANK Holiday Monday provided a mouth watering clash as second placed Barnt Green visited third placed Bridgnorth with the two sides separated by just one point. Batting first the powerful Barnt Green outfit looked to cash in on anything loose but young seamer Tom Baugh (2-43) and Liam Brown (3-47) got their rewards with some late swing, which kept the visitors at bay.
The crucial mid overs spell by Steven Caine (4-34) and Andy Leather (1-40) proved pivotal as, backed by some excellent work in the field, they restricted the visitors to 170 all out.
In reply, a determined approach by Matt Martin (50 not out) and in particular Al Whitby (81 not out) steered their team home with four overs to spare.
The all round team display that produced the victory and opened up a 17 point gap in second spot needs to be built on in the final two fixtures if the Bridgnorth club are to bounce back to Division One next season.
lBRIDGNORTH III’s game on Saturday was called off as the pitch was unfit following a week’s heavy rains.
A new name appeared on the Bridgnorth CC Pub Six-a-side roll of honour as The Basa Villa lifted the trophy this year.