DROITWICH Spa Cricket Club lost out on making the WCBL Indoor County Final on Sunday, after losing a thrilling semi-final by a single wicket to Cutnall Green.
Victory was made sweeter for Cutnall Green, after they were beaten to the Central Division crown by Spa in a league decider a week previous.
Droitwich clocked up a total of 106 runs, much in part to Matt Gurr (36) and Martyn Davies (35), who built up the biggest run-counts for their side.
But even with 17 off the final over, it appeared a total that was there to be shot at by Cutnall Green.
A few early wickets and proficient fielding by Spa appeared to have swung the match in their favour, with Jack Eaton playing a big role in two run outs and making some impressive dives in the field to stop Green from building any momentum.
Gurr meanwhile, produced the best single piece of fielding of the game, when he picked up and launched the ball towards the wicket keeper to run out Cutnall Green’s main threat – Ted Baylis.
Opener Matt Harris brought some reprieve for his side though, and clocked up a match-winning 37 runs to send Green into the final – where they were beaten by Hagley.
Elsewhere, three of Spa’s sides warmed up with friendly fixtures on Saturday,
Spa’s first team fell to a five-wicket defeat to Colwall, who blew Droitwich out of the water with 15 overs to spare, beating the hosts’ total of 149-7.
Staggeringly, Spa conceded 37 wides, highlighting a significant area of improvement as far as bowling is concerned.
Droitwich’s second string met Colwall 2nds, coming out on top in a four-wicket win.
It was not always plain sailing for Spa though, as they stood on 57-5 with a target of 124 to reach.
Spa’s fielding was impressive, as Rhys John and Paul Foster collected three wickets each, whilst wicket-keeper Joe Goss collected five wickets.
Spa’s third team fell to a narrow loss to Old Elizabethans, after being run out in the penultimate over.
With a 154 total to chase, after both Seb Wilkins and Jamie Redding-Widdett struck 46 each, Spa could only muster up three batsmen to reach double figures.
