Premier Division Two Review 7th May

Author: Nick Archer
Date: 07/05/2022

Premier Division Two Review 7th May

Author: Nick Archer
Date: 07/05/2022

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The two teams promoted into Premier Division Two via the County League Play-offs at the end of last season have met with contrasting fortunes since they began life at this level and the result of the match at Worfield went the way of the formbook as Lichfield won, comfortably, by six wickets. So far, the Staffordshire side had won two of their first three matches, while Worfield had tasted defeat in all three of their opening fixtures. Winning the toss and inviting their hosts to bat first, Lichfield skittled Worfield for 50 in 21 overs with Riley Ward finishing with the remarkable figures of six wickets for nine runs from five overs. Brinder Phagura took 3 for 13 and Lichfield wasted no time in reaching their target, despite 3 for 10 from Worfield’s Ben Hudson. Ward’s figures were, almost, matched by Bromsgrove’s Gareth Williams, who finished with six wickets for 11 runs from 10 overs against Himley, who collapsed to 78 all out in 25.2 overs after electing to bat first. A brisk 40 from 22 balls from Jayden Levitt and an unbeaten 24 from Alex Milton set up an easy six wicket win for Bromsgrove. League leaders Harborne visited Walsall and came away with a 34-run win despite being dismissed for 157 by the men from Gorway. Swapnil Gugale (45) played a crucial innings for Harborne with support from Karan Bharaj with 32. Mateen Khan took 5 for 37 and Luke Stynes took 3 for 17 for Walsall, as Harborne slipped from a position of strength at 100 for two to 132 for nine before last man George Land hit 21 not out to take them to their final total in 37.2 overs. Land’s last wicket stand of 25 with Tom Payne (16) proved crucial as Walsall were bowled out for 123 despite 59 from the consistent Om Bhosale. Only two other Walsall batters made it to double figures as Jasper Davidson claimed 4 for 21 and opening bowler James Hunt finished with 4 for 33.

Wolverhampton earned a hard-fought four wicket win over Bridgnorth with two balls remaining in a close finish at Danescourt. The foundation of Bridgnorth’s final total of 210 for nine in 50 overs came from a fourth wicket stand of 108 between Staffordshire’s Michael Hill (60) and Shropshire’s Matty Simmons (50) after both batters were presented with “a life” in the field. Around that partnership, Bridgnorth lost wickets at regular intervals with Aqab Ahmed the pick of the Wolverhampton bowlers with 3 for 37. The early dismissal of the prolific Warrick Fynn didn’t affect Wolverhampton as Worcestershire’s Tom Fell (78), Charlie Home (30) and Worcestershire Academy skipper Joe Stanley (30) eased them to 190 before Fell was fifth out with 21 required. Skipper Will Nield then played a cameo of 26 not out from 22 balls to see Wolverhampton to their third win in three games. Another Worcestershire Academy prospect Rehan Edavalath hit 117 for Barnards Green against West Bromwich Dartmouth. Edavalath and Leicestershire all-rounder George Rhodes (106 from 79 balls) added 168 for the third wicket which paved the way to a final total of 335 for six at the end of 50 overs. In reply, Dartmouth were dismissed for 218 in 42 overs with 52 from Sajid Ahmadzai and 46 from Ibbadat Thaman. Ben Clarke completed a great day for the Worcestershire Academy lads by taking 4 for 36 for Barnards Green. Wem’s total of 183 in 37 overs against Dorridge proved to be 55 too many for the home side who were all out for 128 in response. Harry Chandler hit 46 for Wem as Dorridge spinners Jack Mills (5 for 12) and Perry Derrick (4 for 55) exploited the local conditions before Dan Cohen’s 5 for 26 wrapped up the game for Wem.