Week 11 of the Birmingham League Division One saw Berkswell (199 for three) beat Leamington (118 all out).
Asked to bat first, Leamington were bowled out cheaply by former Bear, Ateeq Javid (three for 14) and Awais Mohammed (three for five). Javid (57) then combined with another former Bear, Nick James (50 not out) to ease Berkswell home.
Kidderminster (150 for eight) lost to Ombersley (154 for seven). Stand out performances came from former Worcestershire players Neil Pinner (43) and Gareth Andrew (4-24).
Knowle & Dorridge (199 for eight) drew with Barnt Green (78 for eight). K&D were asked to bat first, posting an ominous total on a very wet wicket after the previous evening’s storms. Former Bears pathway player Alex Phillips scored 67 whilst Robbie Shurmer took four for 63 for Barnt Green. At 17 for five, Barnt Green struggled from the start but managed to hold on for draw. Chris Cheslin the pick of K&D bowlers (four for 25).
Moseley (140 for eight) drew with West Bromwich Dartmouth (263 for nine). Dartmouth scored an impressive 263 in their allotted 55 overs thanks to Abraash Khan (116) and former England player Kabir Ali (56). At 117 for five, Moseley were never able to get close to Dartmouth’s total but managed to hold on for draw. Another former Bear, Andrew Umeed (47), top scoring for Moseley.
Shifnal (200 for nine) drew with Shrewsbury (217 for nine). Tyler Ibbotson (72) and Peter Clark (51) starred for Shrewsbury with Xavier Clarke lodging outstanding figures of seven for 45 for Shifnal. Clarke then capped off an impressive day scoring 60 in response but to no avail as Shifnal had to settle for a draw.
Walsall (239 for seven) drew with Smethwick (155 for eight). Vriitya Aravind and Amit John posted a 155-run opening partnership but Walsall were unable to capitalise, eventually reaching 239 in a rain reduced 47 over game. Jordan Bulpitt (three for 49) and Luke Stynes put the brakes on Smethwick’s reply with the visitors settling for a share of the points thanks to Gurinder Singh’s 65*.
In Division Two, Barnards Green (79 all out) lost to Oswestry (93 all out). Jonathan Dovey took four for six for Barnards Green whilst Alex Selby (five for 43) and Warrick Fynn (five for three) combined for Oswestry.
Bridgnorth (249 for seven) drew with Dorridge (163 for eight). David Exhall (100 and four for 39), Karl Quiney (57) and Simon Gregory (61) starred for Bridgnorth with Ben Shepperson (80) the only Dorridge batsman to offer any resistance.
Harborne (187 for nine) beat Kenilworth Wardens (183 all out). In a tense game, Wardens batted first with Ali Zarayub Asif (59) and Ben Rex (61) both making half centuries. Jasper Davidson took five for 54 for Harborne. In a tight finish, Harborne’s final pairing put on 44 to see the home team to victory.
Himley (160 for six) beat Bromsgrove (156 all out) and
Wolverhampton (236 for six) beat Pelsall (235 for six).
With the increase in Covid cases across the region, only three matches took place in Division One in week 12.
Leamington (111 for four) drew with Shifnal (208 for six). In a rain-affected game, Shifnal batted first with Tom Collins scoring 56 and Chris Murrall 50. Both teams had to settle for a draw as Leamington’s response was cut short after 28 overs due to rain.
Smethwick (181 all out) lost to Berkswell (182 for two). Gurinder Singh (111) anchored Smethwick’s innings with former Bears seamer Grant Thornton taking three for 46) and Ateeq Javid three for 42. Javid then scored an unbeaten 100 and Nick James 59 not out for Berkswell in a comfortable win.
Walsall (100 all out) lost to Kidderminster (240 for eight). Batting first, a good team batting performance from Kiddi helped them reach 240 in a rain reduced game (51 overs), former Worcestershire duo, Matt Pardoe and Neil Pinner both scoring half centuries. Walsall were immediately in trouble at 50 for five and never recovered, eventually being bowled out thanks to opening bowlers Chris Steele (three for 26) and Ben Parker (four for 25).
In Division Two, Bromsgrove (179 all out) lost to Pelsall (183 for seven), Adrian Ward (four for 45 and 46) and Ben Nightingale (four for 51) starring for Pelsall. Halesowen (158 for five) beat Wolverhampton (156 all out), James Rudge harvesting outstanding figures of seven for 51 for Halesowen.
Wem (104 all out) lost to Barnards Green (107 for four) as Jonathan Dovey took four for 55 for the Green. Dorridge (259 for seven) v Himley was eventually abandoned due to rain as was Kenilworth Wardens (232 for seven) v Bridgnorth and Oswestry (15 without loss) v Harborne (105 all out).
