Complete Cricket Leagues Round-Up: Week 3

Complete Cricket Player of the Week – Xavier Clarke of Shifnal - 84 not out and 3-53.

Berkswell continued their strong start to the Division One season with a close-fought victory over Kidderminster. Three former Bears – Tom Milnes (3-31), Nick James (3-28) and Ateeq Javid (2-9) restricted the away side to 172 all out with new signing Adam Hose scoring a brisk 88 (75 balls) for Kiddi. Berkswell crept over the line thanks to contributions from Javid (34), James (24) and Grant Thornton (22*).

Knowle & Dorridge faltered at home to Smethwick losing in a nail-biter by one wicket. K&D were asked to bat first and scored 208/8 with Alex Phillips who came up through the ranks at Warwickshire, finishing unbeaten on 105. In response, Smethwick opener Muhammed Qamar Khan laid the foundations for a narrow with 85, former Middlesex, Kent and Leicestershire all-rounder Neil Dexter taking 4-44 for K&D.

Leamington, 160 all out, beat Moseley 116 all out in a low scoring game with in-form Andy Umeed scoring 69 in vain while Ombersley defeated Shrewsbury by five wickets in a rain-affected game. Shrewsbury were asked to bat and scored 198/7  before Ombersley, chasing a revised total of 151 in 31 overs, made it home with eight overs to spare.

Newcomers Shifnal defeated Walsall comfortably by seven wickets. Shifnal’s Xavier Clarke was the stand-out performer with 84* and 3-53.

Barnt Green bounced back with a comfortable win against West Bromwich Dartmouth. Barnt Green batted first scoring 257/6 and then dismissed WBD for 147 with Oxfordshire seamer Robbie Shurmer taking 5-36.

In Division Two, Barnards Green defeated Wolverhampton by 67 runs thanks to 94 from Oliver Rogoff. The highlight of Wolverhampton’s reply was a 129-run stand between Charlie Home (94) and Joe Stanley (70).

Bridgnorth and Wem played out a dramatic tied game. Batting first Bridgnorth reached 192 all out mainly thanks to the tail, as Thomas Weaver (65) and Tom Weston (50) rallied them from 60-7. Wem battled hard to surpass the total but two last-gasp wickets meant the game was tied.

Bromsgrove continued their 100% start with victory over Dorridge. Bromsgrove posted 243/7 with Jayden Levitt scoring 110. Due to rain, Dorridge were asked to chase a reduced total of 203 from 40 overs and fell short thanks to 4-29 from Mark Evenson.

Halesowen hammered Harborne by 256 runs thanks to a magnificent 160 from Jamie Harris. Harborne were skittled for 76 in response with Eddie Rhodes taking 6-30.

Himley, 172/2, comfortably beat Oswestry, 171,by 8 wickets, Daniel Vernon a key figure with 4-22. Kenilworth Wardens, 240 all out, beat Pelsall, 239 for 8, by one run with Harry Johnson scoring 107 for Wardens in a thrilling game. Wardens join Bromsgrove and Halesowen on maximum points after the third week of the season.

League standings can be found at bdpcl.play-cricket.com/Competitions.

More detailed information on each of the games can be found at birminghamleague.org.