Words by Paul Smith at Stumped4Words.com
Upwardly-mobile Harborne extended their recent winning sequence after Tom Payne’s superb display inflicted only a second defeat of the season on Birmingham Premier League Division Two leaders Halesowen.
The all-rounder’s battling 92-ball half-century initially played a key role in the visitors’ recovery from 40 for four to a competitive 190 all out.
And better followed as he dismissed last week’s centurion Peter Scott before mopping up the tail as Halesowen were bowled out for 146.
This lifts Harborne to fifth place in the table where they are on the tail of a densely-packed group including Kenilworth Wardens, Barnards Green and Himley.
Captain Tom Arnold was delighted with his team’s impressive bowling and fielding display and the fighting qualities shown by the middle-order.
“They bowled well early on and it seamed about so we lost a few early wickets,” he said.
“Our middle-order did a good job to get us to a half decent total – but nothing special.
“We then bowled tightly with the new ball before Swapnil came on and found a bit of turn.
“Getting Kervezee was then a big wicket and we worked our way through the rest for what was a really good win against a top team.”
After electing to bat, Harborne lost their top four in quick order to pacy home seamer Eddie Rhodes.
However, the middle-order then rallied round Payne to ensure the visitors rebuilt to good effect against the home side’s spinners.
Tejas Wegle (28) and Jimmy Clifford (29) helped him construct consecutive half-century partnerships for the fifth and sixth wickets before wicket-keeper Jack Holloway added a vital unbeaten 31 following the all-rounder’s dismissal.
As a result, Harborne were eventually bowled out in the 52nd over. Alexei Kervezee (2-68) and James Rudge (2-19) provided effective support to the outstanding Rhodes who finished with 5-26 from 11 hostile overs.
The home side’s top-order found life similarly challenging – but it was off-spinner Swapnil Gugale rather than the seamers who claimed the first four wickets to fall.
Harry Baddams grafted his way to an 82-ball 32 from the top of Halesowen’s order, but thereafter only former Worcestershire star Kervezee (37) made much of an impact with the bat.
And it was the return of new ball pair Tom Arnold and Payne that closed the door on the league leaders’ hopes.
Arnold set the ball rolling by trapping Kervezee lbw to start a sequence which saw the last five home wickets fall for 33.
The visiting skipper finished with 3-12 and Payne claimed 3-44 while Indian ace Gugale’s superb spell delivered 4-44 from 17 threatening overs.
