Written by Nick Archer at the Birmingham League, whose original article you can find here.
Premier Division Two leaders Halesowen went into their game with bottom of the table Oswestry knowing that a win would ensure that they added the title to the promotion they earned last week by defeating nearest challengers Kenilworth Wardens. They couldn’t have wished for more accommodating opponents who won the toss and chose to bat first, crashing to 3 for three as Eddie Rhodes (3 for 13) produced a devastating opening spell. The highlight of the Oswestry innings was a seventh wicket stand of 30 which took them to 65 for six before the last four wickets fell for the addition of five runs. James Rudge (3 for 17) cleaned up the tail and Halesowen, then, raced to a 10 wicket victory before the Umpires called for the first sanitisation break. The runs required came in 5.5 overs as Jamie Harrison cracked 41 not out from 18 balls and Jamie Harris compiled 23 not out from 17 balls.
Who goes up with Halesowen is, still, undecided with Kenilworth Wardens and Himley, still, in the frame following wins over Barnards Green and Pelsall. At the beginning of the day, Barnards Green were still in the hunt, and they reached a competitive 247 all out in 49.4 overs. They may well regret missing out on the last two balls of their allocation as Wardens scored 248 for eight in reply, scoring the winning runs from the last ball of their innings. Ryan Tongue led off with 90 for Barnards Green, who won the toss and opted to bat first, and he was well supported by Phil Harris with 43. Most successful bowler for Wardens was Tommy Rex with 4 for 52, with Rahul Trivedi taking 3 for 9 towards the end of the innings. In reply, Ali Asif (79), Harry Butler (45) and Harry Johnson (40) kept up with the required rate before Wardens scrambled over the line after a late flurry of wickets. Josh Blunt was the pick of the home side’s attack with 3 for 31. If, Wardens win their final game, next week, at home to Harborne, they will be promoted but a Himley win against Bromsgrove will mean that Wardens will need a minimum of seven bonus points against Harborne if the result goes against them.
Himley were, also, involved in a last ball thriller against Pelsall, who, batting first, scored 235 for six in 50 overs. Former Kidderminster, Stourbridge and Halesowen opener Jujhar Johal scored 109 from140 balls for Pelsall who, after this result, will be relegated alongside Oswestry. Dan Durman (51) and Olly Westbury (44) had placed Himley in a strong position to challenge for victory, but it was 47 from 31 balls from Saul Anstey that did most to see them over the line from the last ball. Johal, also, starred with the ball taking 3 for 46 but, yet again, Pelsall went down to the narrowest of defeats and a return to the South Staffordshire County League. Wem’s promotion challenge came to an end with a 62 run defeat at Wolverhampton, who were indebted to 92 from Will Nield and 56 from Ramanjot Jaswal for their final total of 240 for eight from 50 overs. In response, Wem slumped to 30 for four, then 99 for seven and were, eventually, all out for 148 in the 44th over after Matthew Cohen had top scored with 31.
The match between Harborne and Dorridge was, also, a thriller after Harborne won the toss and elected to bat first. At the end of 50 overs, they had reached 272 for nine with Swapnil Gugale hitting 119 from 109 balls including fourteen fours and two sixes. He was dismissed at 228 for nine but Dan Wright slammed an unbeaten 45 from 36 balls to see the home side to a competitive total. None of the Dorridge batters reached a half-century but consistent performances throughout, led by 44 from David Ball, saw them to a three wicket success with two balls to spare. The key to the win was a seventh wicket stand of 62 between Perry Derrick (32) and George Sitch (32 not out) after Joe Dodd had gone for 39 at 204 for six.
The match between Bridgnorth and Bromsgrove was won by the visitors after Bridgnorth stumbled to 127 all out in response to Bromsgrove’s 211 for nine from 50 overs. An opening stand of 89 between Connor Smith (67) and Jayden Levitt (50) was broken in the 21st over but, despite the best efforts of Adam Quiney (4 for 49), Bromsgrove’s total proved to be far too many for Bridgnorth who were scuppered by the left-arm spin of Freddie Fallows (4 for 26) and Ashley Newfield (3 for 19). Karl Quiney top scored with 45 for Bridgnorth but both sides will have to settle for a mid-table position and another year in the same division.
