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Streetly maintained their top spot in the premier division with a 20 point win in a potentially difficult fixture against a Fillongley side, in form in the last few weeks, who had edged their way up the table. Fillongley inserted by their visitors never really got going, Phill Hammond got a start before falling to opening bowler Deepak Chhabra for 22 with the score 42 for 2. Aaron Blackmore made a gritty 40 batting 5 and carrying his bat to be not out at the end in a score of 127 in the 30th over as wickets fell around him. There was a glimmer of hope for the home side when Dan Brooks opening the bowling removed both openers with 36 on the board and then took the catch to take Streetly to 38 for 3, but then enter Russ Guy, batting 5. His unbeaten 51 saw Streetly home ably aided by James Hunt (29) in a stand of 65 for the 5th wicket. It was a good weekend for Streetly when Bablake stuttered and only managed a wining draw against Nuneaton. A century for Jason Pyott in this one for the visitors (117) but Nuneaton survived with 195 for 8. Congratulations to Ansley CC this week who in the battle of the bottom clubs where away at Atherstone in a North Warks derby. Atherstone made a par score of 193 all out in the 44th over, Sam Smart with 9 fours in his 80 the pick of the batting. Ansley had a century from Tom Norman to thank for their victory. Opening the batting and being 7th out just 2 runs short of the target he anchored the innings and double figure contributions from the rest of the top 5 was just enough to get Ansley over the line despite Atherstone trying no less than 8 different bowlers to break his resolve.
Looking at other divisions this week and division3 has Knowle and Dorridge 3rds, Wishaw, and Hampton & Solihull fighting it out for 2 promotion places, separated by 7 points and 27 points ahead of 4th place. Hampton and Solihull went down in a close finish making just 122 all out, with only Matthew James (66) and skipper Mike Palmer (16) getting to double figures, Wickets shared between the bowlers and the innings closing in the 38th over. Hampton however took well to the task of defending their total, led by evergreen Harold Turner whose 15 overs went for just 17 runs for 4 wickets with 7 maidens. Ambleside after a steady start slumped from 50 for 2 to 66 for 7. In the WCL if a side does not complete its 50 overs they are transferred to their opponents, and the game entered “over time” as Tony Green (19) and Willie Canavan (27) guided Ambleside forward to reach a thrilling 123 for 9 in the 62nd over. Wishaw at Wolvey scored 190, and then defended well but could not get the last 2 Wolvey wickets as they closed 168 for 8. This left the door open for Knowle and Dorridge to go top with a win in their fixture at home to Weoley Hill. Several Weoley Hill batsmen got in and got out 36 from opener Ben Homer being their top scorer, 5 other batsmen getting into the 20s without converting. It was a different story after tea with Alex Rainbow 83 not out sharing a 2nd wicket partnership with Kevin Bray (73) who retired hurt as they romped to a 9 wicket victory in over 37.
Division 5 2nds this week provided one of several run feasts as visitors Wolvey: Lawrence 149 Hawkins 92 made 329 for 8 at Collycroft. 149 often wins the top score honours in the WCL but this week it was beaten in the same match, Collycroft 332 for 4: Moyle 162 Mellor 83 Stanley 64.
This week a small feature on the Single Team league division 1. This league is for clubs with one side as the name suggests but with the need to have 3rd XI at the top level we also find a mix of 3rd XI from the top clubs. The top division in this league is no less competitive than any other in the WCL as illustrated by the fact last year’s winners Selly Park find themselves dead last. This year another Birmingham club, well established in this league, are enjoying well deserved success, and Small Heath Baptist Church lead the division on 157 points. They are being chased by the 3rd XI of 2 major forces in the WCL. This week Walsall YMF closed the gap to 5 points with an impressive 271 -2, Farooq 125 no sweeping aside Selly Park by 107 runs. Walsall had a Birmingham League Club to thank in Handsworth as their 3rds scored 193 and hung onto to win, so with a 17 point swing closing the gap to 5 points. Highway 3rds make up the top 3 despite being on the wrong end of a draw at Bridge Trust, failing to chase 192 for 9 they closed 152 for 9 but not losing that last wicket was worth 4 points to the Coventry club and keeps them in touch with the top 2.
Best Performances
Batting
- Moyle 162, for Collycroft against Wolvey, in Division 5 2nd XI
- Richard Foxon 160, for Rowland Utd against Nether Whitacre, in Division 3 2nd XI
- Lawrence 149, for Wolvey against Collycroft, in Division 5 2nd XI
Bowling
- Bourne 7 for 24, for Newdigate against FOS / POW 3rds & 4ths, in Division 5 2nd XI
- L Golding 7 for 39, for Rowland Utd against Nether Whitacre, in Division 3 1st XI
- Minhas 6 for 28, for Bedworth 3rds & 4ths against Warwick 3rds & 4ths, in Division 6 1st XI
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