DROITWICH Spa earned their first win of the season, beating Belbroughton by 20 runs in Worcestershire County League Division One, ahead of visiting Bromyard tomorrow (Saturday, 1pm).
Opening bowlers Phil Thomas and Max Young were much in part to thank for the victory, after taking seven wickets between them and helping guide Spa to victory, despite their lowly total of 106 all out.
The hosts won the toss and elected to field, with Jack Eaton hitting a top score of 26 for Droitwich – incidentally the joint highest total in the game, which epitomised the low-scoring affair that was on show in Belbroughton.
Joe Hall looked in inspired form, taking 4-10, whilst John Hawk took 3-35 – but it was the 27 extras that were conceded that came back to haunt the hosts.
Spa had bowled excellently during the second innings, and were a wicket away from victory at 50-9.
But the duo of last batsman Rob Hawk (10, not out), alongside son Stuart (26), helped bring Belbroughton back into contention.
Young had bowled out with 4-32, whilst Thomas (3-34) was unable to bowl a second spell following cramp.
It set Matt Gurr up with the opportunity to find the final wicket, which he duly delivered, to win the game for Spa.
Spa seconds meanwhile fell by six wickets to West Malvern in Division Five, after being bowled out for 114.
Malvern’s Dan Walker claimed 4-22, as Taj Gino could only top score for Droitwich with 33.
After taking two early wickets at 6-2, Spa gave themselves a chance, but were powerless to prevent visiting captain Will Lloyd from hitting an unbeaten 61 to win the game in the 40th over.
Spa’s third XI claimed a winning draw against Stourbridge, after hitting 258-7, but were unable to claim the final two wickets for victory, despite Ben Foster taking 3-9 and his son Paul claiming 2-15.
