Challenge Cup Update Round One

Author: Nick Archer
Date: 23/05/2023

Challenge Cup Update Round One

Author: Nick Archer
Date: 23/05/2023

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A superb century from Bruce Thomason steered West Bromwich Dartmouth into Round Two of the competition as the Sandwell Park outfit defeated Tamworth by six wickets with five balls of an absorbing contest remaining. The visitors, who elected to bat first after winning the toss, posted 183 for seven from 20 overs, led by and unbeaten 58 from Ben Maddox and 45 from Derbyshire’s Scotland international Mark Watt. 17 years old Harpreet Kalia was the most successful bowler for Dartmouth with 3 for 12 and there were two wickets apiece for Sajid Ahmadzai and Shahzeb Raja. In reply, Dartmouth lost their first wicket at 45 when Ahmadzai was dismissed for 28, but a second wicket partnership of 112 between Thomason and Ismail Mohammed (25) took them to the brink of victory which was sealed by Thomason after Mohammed fell at 157. The opening bat hit seven sixes and seven fours and finished on 101 not out from 57 balls. Ed Smith took 2 for 20 for Tamworth. Smethwick were victorious in the other Round One tie in the Staffordshire section, defeating Lichfield by four wickets at Broomfield with 14 balls to spare. Robert Turner (34) and Riley Ward (26) scored the bulk of the runs for Lichfield with two wickets each for Smethwick’s Yasir Ali, Nasir Ahmed and Kadeer Ali. The visitors closed on a modest 105 for nine which proved to be well within Smethwick’s compass after Canadian international Abraash Khan hit 38 and National Panel umpire Bilal Shafayat added 33. George Turner and Safian Mir both took 2 for 25 for Lichfield. In Round Two, Smethwick are drawn away to Wolverhampton and Dartmouth will be at home to Himley with both ties due to be played by Sunday 11th June.

In the Warwickshire section of the draw, visiting Dorridge defeated Leamington by six wickets after the home side were restricted to 115 for six in 20 overs. Jacob Sargeant (25) and Jon Wigley (20) were the only batters to reach 20 with Dorridge’s Rumesh Buddhika and George Sitch capturing two wickets each. In reply, 50 from Luke Horgan and 43 from Buddhika eased Dorridge to a comfortable win by adding 63 for the third wicket. 2022 season runners-up Harborne began their campaign to “go one better” with a 102-run success against Kenilworth Wardens at Glasshouse Park. Swapnil Gugale (55), Tejas Wagle (51) and Matthew James (43 from 13 balls) were ruthless as they dispatched Wardens for 221 for six in 20 overs with occasional bowler Jamie Harrison taking 3 for 52 for the home side. Despite fielding a strong batting line-up, Wardens failed to respond to the challenge and crumbled to 119 all out in the 16th over with nine of the wickets shared between Tim Holland (3 for 11), Henry Arnold (3 for 16) and Gugale (3 for 26). Dorridge will host Harborne in Round Two.

Premier Division Two side Coventry & N.W. were emphatic eight-wicket victors against Premier Division One high-fliers Knowle & Dorridge after restricting their visitors to 135 for six in 20 overs. Amir Khan (42) and Hamza Shaikh (36) took K & D to 123 for two before the innings stalled leaving Coventry with a manageable target which they achieved, easily, in 13 overs, thanks to 42 from Manish Kamboj and an unbeaten 37 from Alex Barrett. Coventry & N.W. will travel to Berkswell in Round Two who thrashed a weak Moseley side by 119 runs after piling up the highest total in Round One, reaching 248 for six in 20 overs. Chris Whittock hammered 76 from 32 balls, Tom Mousley clubbed 50 from 21 balls and Nick James raced to 34 from 19 balls as Berkswell took full advantage of a light-weight visiting attack. Abdullah Awan was undefeated on 48 from 35 balls when Moseley’s reply came to an end on 129 for eight from 20 overs.

Williamson Trophy winners Ombersley, also, fielded an under-strength side against Bromsgrove and went down by eight wickets after struggling to 116 for six in 20 overs. Declan Lines top scored with 27 for Ombersley before Jayden Levitt compiled an unbeaten 65 from 57 balls to ease Bromsgrove to a Round Two tie at near neighbours Barnt Green. Kidderminster conceded their Round One Two to Halesowen who will be at home to Barnards Green in Round Two.