Words by Paul Smith (Stumped4Words)
Despite a brilliant unbeaten 127 from opener Jamie Harris, Harborne slipped to Birmingham Premier League Division Two defeat for the first time this season by a four-wicket margin at the hands of visitors Wolverhampton.
Harris’ fine knock dominated a home innings which closed at 257 for seven before half-centuries from Warrick Fynn, Tom Fell and Charlie Home saw the visitors grab a thrilling final-over victory.
As a result, Wolverhampton replace Harborne at the summit of the table after seven rounds of action with Bromsgrove and Dorridge also in close pursuit.
Following the early dismissals of Tom Arnold and Karan Bharaj, who both fell to Brad Fallon, Harris joined forces with Swapnil Gugale (36) in a 71-run third-wicket alliance.
However, Home then dismissed the Indian ace and the in-form Jasper Davidson during an accurate ten-over spell which returned 2-34, and at 108 for four the home side were forced to consolidate.
This took the form of a useful 52-run partnership between Harris and Tejas Wagle (24) after which Tom Payne lifted the tempo with a breezy 15-ball 21.
Although James Hunt fell cheaply, this set the stage for wicket-keeper Matt James to accompany Harris to the end of the home side’s 55-over allocation while also blasting three sixes in his unbeaten 24.
Harris’ superb unbeaten 127 occupied 166 balls and included two sixes and 16 fours while Fallon finished with 3-81 for the visitors.
Opening pair Ramanjot Jaswal (38) and Fynn then took Wolverhampton’s pursuit of 257 to 73 before Fell joined Fynn in a productive second-wicket alliance worth 88.
Wolves still required 96 when the opener fell to Hunt in the 41st over for a well-constructed 121-ball 81 including 12 boundaries and a six, but it was the subsequent quick dismissals of Fell – for a 77-ball 53 – and skipper Will Nield which lifted Harborne hopes.
With six wickets remaining and seven overs to bat the visitors required 54, but in Home they found the man for the task. The all-rounder added 52 with Joe Stanley (28) before finishing the job in the company of Sandeep Dhillon.
Home’s match-clinching 41-ball unbeaten 51 contained five boundaries and three sixes. Gugale (2-40) was the pick of a five-strong home attack in which there was also a wicket apiece for Hunt, Mike Bevan and George Land.
Harborne visit the Bridgnorth home of winless Worfield next Saturday.
