Worcestershire Cricket Board

A disappointing week in Division 1 saw Droitwich 'A' go top of the league by default, and RGS heavily defeated. Martley continue their unbeaten run in division 2.

Division 1

Bewdley v. Droitwich 'A'  Droitwich won by default. ( Bewdley were unable to field a side)

WRGS (84 all out) lost to Worcester Nomads 'A' by 5 wickets.

In spite of a cautious but adequate start of 40 from 4 overs from openers Will French (11) and Dan Goodyear (19) the school failed to capitalise. Four wickets fell in 3 further overs to leave them 53-4. Chip Lawton (12) and Harry Bates (22) left in charge for the remaining overs, dug in but were finally dismissed in the last over to present Nomads 'A' with what appeared and proved a simple target. The swinging new ball had an effect and made Steve Bowman's gentle left arm flighters look the sort of deliveries to get Kevin Peterson 5 out of 6. The swing took a little time for the Nomads bowlers to control conceding 20 wides in 5 overs, but once they had mastered the problem they conceded none further. Darren Lakin returned the best figures of 1-16 in 3 overs. Steve Bowman, missed by Nomads in their defeat by Droitwich 'A' in their previous match showed his value in an innings of 30 (n.o.) in under 5 overs including 6 fours. With that sort of start Nomads amassed 72 in these 5 overs, leaving the result already decided, and effected in the 7th over.

Umpires - Chris Marsh and Barrie Taylor. Next matches 19th February; Droitwich 'A' v Worcester Nomads 'B' and Worcester v. Droitwich 'A'


Division 2

Nomads 'C' (160-3) beat Malvern (101 all out) by 59 runs

Alex Milton (36 not out) and Nick Jones (31 not out) began this onslaught on the Malvern bowlers with decisive running and calling. After the first over Nomads were 12-0 without a run off the bat. As Malvern bowlers got their sights on the stumps this improved, but conceding 33 wides in an innings immediately creates problems - unless, as Nomads did, they return the favour with 36. This apart there was a gulf between the teams, Nomads scoring 122 from the bat and Malvern 66. Following a rush of 3 wickets, Dean Oliver at number 6 plundered his 25 and retired leaving the openers to complete proceedings and post the highest total of the season.  Rhys Humm was the only wicket taker for Malvern with 1-35.  Replying, Malvern batsmen struggled from the off, scoring 21 out of 44 (for 2) from the bat at the half way stage.  Lack of confidence contributed to at least some of the 5 run outs and Malvern capitulated in the final over, Anthony Arnold top scoring with 44 and Malvern over a ton for the first time.

Droitwich 'B' (87 all out) lost to Martley (90-4) by 2 wickets

Trouble began for Droitwich when they lost Max Young bowled all ends up by Pete Gardner in the 2nd over. However the previous game's record attempt at wides was being bettered by Martley who conceded 40 in an innings lasting only 9.3 overs, equalling runs from the bat. Jake Young (12) Peter Gurr(10) and Martin Woodward (14) got to to double figures but were unable to take the game on, so top-of the-table Martley were presented with what should have been a formality. James Ganderton made it look easy and retired in the 5th over on 26. From there, with the notable exception of Pat Bibby (31 n.o.), Martley contrived to keep Droitwich in the match. Bibby coming in at first wicket down in the 4th over managed to face only 8 balls until the tenth, from which he took 20 in 5 balls to win the game.  In the previous over Peter Gurr had taken 2-4 making Droitwich dream, for a moment, they were in with a chance.   

Umpires - Barrie Taylor and Gary Gough. Next matches 20th February; Worcester Nomads 'C' v Old Vigornians and Martley v West Malvern

League tables after 3 matches completed