Warwickshire 50+ team start the season with one win and one loss
Warks 50+ v Oxfordshire 50+ at Norton Lindsey CC 16/05/18
Warwickshire 50+ suffered a disappointing loss in their first game of the season against Oxfordshire.
The Bears bowled first and made an early strike when Caunce was bowled by Smith. Runs proved hard to come by against Smith and Healey and wickets fell regularly as Warwickshire chipped away on a wicket which was hard to score runs on.
From 81 for five, a patient stand of 59 between captain Hemmings and Thomas pushed Oxfordshire up to a final total of 144-8 from 45 overs.
Warwickshire found it just as hard to score runs against the spin attack of Oxfordshire with only Mo Altaf showing the skills and determination which were necessary to prosper on the tricky wicket.
Steve Healey raised outside hopes of keeping Altaf company but when Altaf eventually fell Warwickshire’s hopes went with him and Oxford ran out winners by 38 runs.
Warks 50+ v Worcestershire 50+ at Pershore CC 23/05/18
Warwickshire bounced back from the previous week’s disappointment in good style with a derby win against the Pears.
On a sunny day the Bears won the toss and gladly batted with a determination to put right the wrongs of the previous week. Altaf and Eames started steadily and looked untroubled until Eames was bowled off his glove by one that lifted.
Daniels joined Altaf and put together a pivotal partnership of 129 with both batters mixing aggression and defence and running well.
At drinks after 30 overs Warwickshire were 162-1 and set for a substantial total. Daniels promptly spooned the first ball after drinks to cover and with the departure of Seifas soon afterwards there was a danger of the innings losing momentum as Altaf started feeling the effects of the heat.
Chris Layton came in and faced the responsibility of moving the innings on, which he did splendidly with a rapid-fire 52 from 40 balls whilst Altaf played the anchor role to carry his bat for a superb 105*, his maiden ton for the County, which carried the final score to 250-3.
Worcestershire started badly in reply, losing 3 quick wickets and subsiding to 43-5 when Layton smartly caught the dangerous Cairney off Healey. The only resistance was offered by Cox who compiled a smart 49 before being bowled by Man of the Match Altaf.
The Worcestershire innings eventually subsided to 162 all out with Moore snaffling the last wicket leaving the Bears victorious over the Pears by 88 runs.
