Worcestershire County League round up: all the action

Pershore 1st XI chased down Ombersley 2nd XIs first innings total (197 all out) for the loss of just one wicket to march to the top of the table. The South Worcestershire outfit are just a few points ahead of Stourport-on-Severn 1st XI on runs per wicket differential after the West Worcestershire side equalled the top teams efforts when they made the trip across County to Sambourne Lane and came away with a well- earned  three wicket win against Astwood Bank 1st XI who had won two from two prior to Saturday and are notably difficult to beat at home.

Elsewhere in the division, Redditch 1st XI put an end to Old Hill 1st XIs winning start at Haden Hill where the home team would have been disappointed that they could not defend their first innings total as they were beaten by two wickets on home soil.. Stourbridge 1st XI got back to winning ways as they brushed aside Brockhampton by nine wickets at the War Memorial Ground, whilst other victories went to Droitwich Spa 1st XI who enjoyed their second win from three by beating Colwall 1st XI (for whom Matt Ingram scored a first innings 97) by three wickets at St. Peters Field and Bromyard 1st XI grabbed their first win of the season week three at the third attempt against Old Elizabethans 1st XI who were at one stage just over thirty runs shy of victory with four wickets remaining in the second innings at Flagonners Green.

This leaves Ombersley 2nd XI and Old Elizabethans 1st XI occupying the bottom two places as they both search for their first wins of the season.

In Division One four teams remain undefeated after recording three wins from three on Saturday.

Overseas all-rounder Maxwell Meyer (102 & 4-23) led Worcester Nomads 1st XI to the summit after producing and inspired performance with bat and ball to help secure a comfortable victory against Bewdley 1st XI at Lower Park. Daniel Meredith (94) ensured Barnt Green 2nd XI kept up with the early season pace as his first innings effort helped the Green set a first innings total that proved too many for Pedmore 1st XI to chase. Chaddesley Corbett 1st XI remain in third place after they made the trip to play Worcester 1st XI at Norton Barracks and came away with a six wicket win and the team making up the quartet equal on sixty points at the top end of the table are Lye 1st XI who beat Coombs Wood 1st XI by thirty-five runs at Stewarts Road.

In other matches in the division, Halesowen 2nd XI enjoyed a comfortable win against Kidderminster 2nd XI to make it two wins in three matches and Hagley 1st XI won a low scoring encounter by five runs at Albemarle Road against Oldswinford 1st XI to grab their first win of the season.

Burghill, Tillington & Weobley 1st XI ensured that nobody in Division Two remained unbeaten as they made the trip to Lea Lane and beat Cookley 1st XI by two wickets in a match that saw nearly six hundred runs scored on the day. Five teams have now won two from three in this division..

Dominic Taylor (102) scored a superb century to help Himley 2nd XI take full advantage of Cookleys slip up to go top of the table as his first innings effort helped the visitors post too many for Bartestree & Lugwardine 1st XI to chase. Enville 1st XI made the trip to Alvechurch & Hopwood and produced an excellent second innings batting performance to pocket  their second win of the season which in turn helped them to move in to fourth place, whilst the team completing the quintet of teams that have now won two from three were Harborne 3rd XI for whom Anil Ram (116) proved to be the main protagonist in an excellent first innings batting performance (322-7) against Astwood Bank 2nd XI who led by Jake Browning (92) responded well in the second innings but ultimately finished thirty-six runs short of the target .  

Elsewhere, Himbleton 1st XI and Bromsgrove 2nd XI posted their first wins of the season against Belbroughton 1st XI and Bredon 1st XI respectively to ensure that every team in the division has won at least one game this season which promises to make this division one of the most competitive of all.

In the early season top of the table clash in Division Three Robert Wilson (103*) scored an undefeated second innings century  to help Barnards Green 2nd XI retain their position at the top of the table with an emphatic nine wicket victory against Feckenham 1st which also ensured that the South Worcestershire outfit remained the only remaining undefeated team in the division.

Netherton 1st XI sit twelve points behind the leaders in second place after Taimur Ali (6-21 & 54)  produced an excellent all round performance to play more than his part in a three wicket win against visiting Old Vigornians 1st XI at Highbridge Road. Waqar Ahmad (107) made certain Stourbridge 2nd XIs trip to play Brockhampton 2nd XI was not made in vain as they left the Parks forty three run win which helped them secure third place. Tom Phelan (105*) scored an undefeated century to help Redditch 2nd XI beat Old Hill 2nd XI by eight wickets to move in to fourth whilst elsewhere in the division Jasper Bowrys (5-13) first innings effort helped Old Elizabethans 2nd XI to a comfortable ten wicket win against Coombs Wood 2nd XI at the Memorial Ground and Owen Birchley (5-28) took five second innings wickets to help Martley 1st XI to their first win of the season against Avoncroft 1st XI at the Jewry Field.

In Division Four Will Lloyd (82) continued his early season good form by posting a valuable second innings contribution which helped West Malvern 1st XI beat Eastnor 1st XI by four wickets to remain top and the only other team to remain undefeated in the division Stourport-on-Severn 2nd XI lie in second place (level on points with the leaders) after Neil Bailey (110*) compiled an undefeated second innings century to seal the deal against visiting Bromsgrove 3rd XI at Walshes Meadow.

The top two are now fourteen points clear of Netherton 2nd XI who were convincingly beaten by Five Ways Old Edwardians 1st XI who posted over three hundred in the first innings at the Masshouse. Another team to post over three hundred in the first innings were Lye 2nd XI for whom Mohammed Shoaib Iqbal (106*) led the way in formulating a first innings total that proved far too many for Romsley & Hunnington 1st XI to chase and meant that Lye moved in to fourth.

In other matches in the division, Captain Lewis Hooper (4-27 & 61) and Jamie Oliver (103*) were the main protagonists for Rushwick 1st XI as they gained their first win of the season when they chased down Claverley 1st XIs first innings total to win by five wickets and Alexander Roden (84*) helped Chaddesley Corbett 2nd XI beat Worcester 2nd XI by six wickets at Longmore.

In Division Five two teams sit level on sixty points after winning their first three matches.

Droitwich Spa 2nd XI are top after Karl Goddard (71*) lead them to a comfortable seven wicket victory on the road at Colwall with Worcester Nomads 2nd XI second by just under half a decimal point on Net Run Rate after opening pair Derek Austin (94*) and Malcolm Jones (91*) swept aside Bewdley 2nd XI with an opening second innings partnership of two hundred and three to win by ten wickets.

In other matches in the division, Matt Pratley (84) helped Hanley Castle & Upton 1st XI inflict the first defeat on Barnt Green 3rd XI by a comfortable margin at Douglas Road, a result that knocked the East Worcestershire outfit off the top of the table into third place and catapulted the visitors in to fourth. Harborne 4th XI made it two wins out of three when they beat Astwood Bank 3rd XI by six wickets at Hanbury to go fifth. Muhammad Zubair (5-30) second innings performance helped Pershore 2nd XI beat Pedmore 2nd XI by nine runs in a close encounter at the Bottoms and Malvern 1st XI gained their first win of the season by beating Halesowen 3rd XI at the Ramblers Ground which leaves the visitors still searching for their first win of the season alongside Astwood Bank 3rd XI at the foot of the table.

Three teams retained their unbeaten status in Division Six.

Rizwan Ashraf (106) scored a first innings half century which helped Old Vigornians 2nd XI post too many for Belbroughton 2nd XI to chase at Kings Hawford, a win which helped them to the top of the table on Net Run Rate by just 0.01 of a point over Hagley 2nd XI who beat Himley 3rd XI by six wickets thanks to a fine second innings contribution from Simon Burgess (94).

Level on sixty points but behind on Net Run Rate in third place are Stourbridge 3rd XI who, thanks to Jake Brigdale (89*) posted too many for former table toppers Kidderminster 3rd XI to chase in the second innings to come out comfortable winners at the Green Field. James Manley (91*) second innings contribution ensured Cleobury Mortimer 1st XI secured their second win in three matches against Bromyard 2nd XI. Ronnie Ball (132) and Sonny Baker (108) both contributed first innings centuries to help Enville 2nd XI post over three hundred against a spirited Alveley 1st XI for whom Jamie Lawrence (84) top scored in the second innings to fall just nine runs short in a high scoring game at Enville Hall and finally Cutnall Green 1st XI opened their winning account for the season by beating Kempsey 1st XI by five wickets at Plovers Rise.

Tenbury Wells 1st XI remain the only undefeated side in Division Seven after beating visitors Bartestree & Lugwardine 2nd XI by five wickets at Penlu. The West Worcestershire outfit are twelve points clear of Stourport-on-Severn 3rd XI who lost their unbeaten start at the Hedges Ground against Bromsgrove 4th XI who posted their first win of the season. Five Ways Old Edwardians 2nd Xi ensured they made their longest away trip of their season worthwhile as Abdul Ali (77*) and Zoheeb Ahmed (66*) shared an unbroken second innings partnership to cruise home against Burghill, Tillington & Weobley 2nd XI by nine wickets, a result that keeps them in third place in the table and former Worcestershire left arm spinner Matthew Rawnsley (5-3) took a first innings 5-fer against Birlingham 1st XI which set up a comfortable six wicket win which moved Ombersley 3rd XI in to the top four.

Elsewhere, Noshad Hussain (58*) helped Claverley 2nd XI snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at the Alf Tolley Memorial Ground against Rushwick 2nd XI who for 99% of the second innings looked likely winners until Noshed stole the show with a belligerent second innings knock batting at number ten that forced his team over the line by just one wicket and Richard Williams (82) second innings contribution helped Barnards Green 3rd XI gain their first win of the season against Oldswinford 2nd XI at Newland.

Finlay Burford’s (5-14) first innings contribution helped set up a four wicket win for new table toppers Harvington 1st XI against Martley 2nd XI in Division 8. In second position, level on points sit Romsley & Hunnington 2nd XI who remain the only other unbeaten side after beating Worcester 3rd XI by six wickets. Alvechurch & Hopwood 2nd XI are third after beating Highley 1st XI by five wickets, with Halesowen 4th XI a further two points behind in fourth after they beat Cookley 2nd XI at Earls High by eight wickets.

In other matches in the division, Davey Banks (142) helped Feckenham 2nd XI win their first game of the season against visiting Stone 1st XI in a high scoring match at Mill Lane and Sebastian Wilkins (124) led Old Elizabethans 3rd XI to a comfortable win against Kidderminster 4th XI at Winterfold School.

The Regional Divisions 9 & 10 started on Saturday.

Division Nine is spread across three, geographically sensitive regional divisions (North, Central & South) with ten teams in each division. Each team will play each other home and away leading to eighteen fixtures which started on Saturday and will culminate with the final fixture on Saturday 27th August. Following the divisional matches there will be a knockout based Play-Off competition featuring either the top four or eight teams (the format has yet to be decided)

In Division 9 (North) there were first day wins for Harborne 5th XI for whom Will Clarke (105*) posted an undefeated first innings century against Droitwich Spa 4th XI. Mark Buttery (96) helped Netherton 3rd X post too many for Coombs Wood 3rd XI to chase at Longmore. Enville 3rd XI beat Oldswinford 3rd XI by seven wickets, Alveley 2nd XI who beat Bewdley 3rd XI  thanks largely to a first innings contribution from Richard Twigg (88*) and Stourbridge 4th XI who beat Himley 4th XI by four wickets in a high scoring match at Himleys Stourbridge Road second ground.

In Division 9 (Central) Jem Rose (105) was the mainstay of a first innings which saw Himbleton 2nd XI go top after posting well over three hundred which proved decisive against Astwood Bank 4th XI (for whom Jake Browning (125) scored a spirited second innings century in response. Harvey Phillips (5-11) and Oliver Hills (78*) led Cookhill 1st XI to an opening day win against Hagley 3rd XI which helped them into second position. Steve Richardson (119*) and Kris Blackburn (104*) both posted undefeated second innings centuries that helped Harborne 6th XI go third after chasing  down Droitwich Spa 4th XIs first innings total of over three hundred at St. Peters Field (second ground). Avoncroft 2nd XI sit in fourth place after Vishal Bhardwaj (71*) finished unbeaten in the second innings to seal a narrow in by two wickets against visiting Chaddesley Corbett 3rd XI at Hanbury Road and finally James Prescott (116) posted a first innings century for Redditch Entaco 3rd XI in tight three run win against Old Elizabethans 4th XI at Neel Park which saw them move in to fifth position.

In Division 9 (South) Dominic Fenney (130) and Clive Fenney (75) laid the foundations for Bredon 2nd XI to go to the summit in a comprehensive win against Eastnor 2nd XI. Paris Ali Arif ((110) ensured Kempsey 2nd XI started on the front foot as his second innings century secured a victory against Bromyard 3rd XI to go second. Chris Salter (125) helped Bosbury 1st XI get off to a flier by posting over three hundred in the first innings which proved too many for newcomers Brockhampton 3rd XI for who Robin Holgate (83) responded well. Malvern 2nd XI beat another new team Colwall 3rd XI by six wickets to go fourth and finally West Malvern 2nd XI beat Hallow Taverners 1st XI to secure fifth place.

Division Ten consists of four divisions (North, East, South/East & South/West) which again have been split in a geographically sensitive manner.

There are seven teams competing in Division Ten (North). Each team will play twelve matches finishing on Saturday 30th  July.

First day winners were Pedmore 3rd XI who cruised to a nine wicket win against Halesowen 5th XI. The other two matches in the Division were scheduled to be played on Sunday 1st May but were both abandoned without a ball being bowled. The 7th team Lye 3rd XI will wait until next Saturday to take their bow.

Eight teams make up the Division Ten (East) and are scheduled to play fourteen matches each finishing on Saturday 30th  July.

Daniel Mills (73*) second innings unbeaten effort saw Cookhill 2nd XI home to a nine wicket win against Halesowen 6th XI, a result that was enough to see them go top of the table after the first weekends play. Five Ways Old Edwardians 3rd XI sit in second position on Net Run Rate after beating Pedmore 4th XI by eight wickets. Avoncroft 3rd XI crept over the line to win by one wicket in a low scoring match against Old Halesonians 1st XI at Wassell Grove to go third and Redditch Entaco 4th gained a concession win against Feckenham 3rd XI.    

Seven teams make up Division Ten (South/East). Each team will play twelve matches each and will finish on Saturday 30th  July.

In their first ever match Droitwich Spa 5th XI got off to the perfect start when twelve year old Finlay Wildsmith (74) compiled an excellent first innings half century and fellow thirteen year old Ava Clive (4-11) posted excellent second innings figures to help gain a comfortable win against Hanley Castle & Upton 2nd XI. This result puts them top of the table on Net Run Rate over Inkberrow for whom Chris Parish (5-41) and Stuart Freeman (61*) were the main protagonists in their first day, six wicket win at home against Pershore 4th XI and in the other match in the division Harvington 2nd XI were awarded the victory following a concession from Worcester 4th XI who failed to raise a team.

In Division Ten (South./West) six teams compete meaning each team will play ten matches each again finishing on Saturday 30th July.

In the two matches played on Saturday Barnards Green 3rd XI beat Rushwick by eight wickets at the Cinderella Ground, and Worcester Nomads 3rd XI beat Malvern 3rd XI by seventeen runs to go second.