MARTYN Davies’ five-wicket haul and a Darryn Bancroft half-century guided Droitwich Spa to a second maximum-points victory in as many games – sending Spa top of Worcestershire County Division One.
The comprehensive 119-run win Hagley saw the St Peter’s Playing Fields hosts rack up a score of 211-9 after deciding to bat , led by big-hitters Bancroft (56) and Connor Grant (44) in Spa’s middle order.
What the visitors’ Jonathan Miles (4-65) could do, Davies could do even better, skittling out the majority of Hagley’s mid-to-late order batsmen for 32 runs conceded after captain Max Young (3-28) had set the tone early on.
Droitwich now hope to continue their 100 percent start at Chaddesley Corbett on Saturday.
A STAR-SHOWING from Bromsgrove opener Jayden Levitt proved the difference in Saturday’s 56-run win over Wolverhampton – after the 34-year-old’s unbeaten haul of 152 runs made it two wins from two.
The Boars top Birmingham & District Premier Division Two as a result of their fine start, seeing off the visitors with ease at St. Godwalds Park.
Electing to bat first after skipper Mark Evenson won the toss, the hosts made a steady start in the opening six overs, losing Connor Smith (15) at 31-1 to an Atif Sheikh (2-77) delivery.
But what followed was simply breathtaking, as star-man Levitt and number three Ashley Newfield (63) smashed a partnership of 194 to put Bromsgrove in control.
A couple of wickets fell in quick succession after Newfield’s departure at 225-2, though Richard Kimberlin (13 n.o) offered some useful support in the middle order as the Boars finished on 297-4.
The visitors struggled initially in reply, with Gareth Williams (2-36) picking up a couple of early wickets as Wolverhampton fell to a score of 63-4.
A partnership of 99 between Charlie Home (77) and James Hammond (49) resurrected their hopes somewhat, while Joe Stanley also played a key role (30) in lifting the away side above the 200-run mark.
Ultimately though, efficient bowling from the Boars secured another impressive victory, with Smith (3-43) and Evenson (2-14) the two other standouts.
A home game against Dorridge, who won their first game of the season last time out against Pelsall, now lies in wait on Saturday.
IN DIVISION One, Barnt Green fell to a first defeat of the season at the hands of Ombersley, losing out by three wickets.
The Green never really got going despite Amrinder Brar (94) managing a near-century, as the lack of a suitable batting partner – other than the stand of 52 with skipper Darrel Williams (18) – ultimately proving costly.
With the hosts managing a final tally of 229-9, Ombersley flew out of the traps with an opening partnership of 72 between Jack Haynes (57) and Joshua Dell (30) which set the tone for the remainder of the innings.
And while Harry Bates (3-53) and Williams (2-41) did their best to halt the visitors’ charge, Ombersley’s Gareth Andrew (38 n.o) steered his side towards victory with 24 balls remaining.
There was positive news in the form of Berkswell’s concession in the quarter-finals of the Graham Williamson Trophy however, meaning the Green will host West Bromwich Dartmouth in Sunday’s last-four clash – a day after the two sides go head-to-head in the league.
