Spa partnership put Bromyard to sword (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)

Spa partnership put Bromyard to sword

11:25am Monday 25th June 2012 in Sport

A magnificent partnership of 131 for the sixth wicket between Paul Bryan and Max Young guided Droitwich firsts to a five wicket win against Bromyard in Worcester County League Division One.

Coming together with the Spa innings in tatters at 24-5, Bryan and Young initially stopped the rot against the pace of Sri Lankan Dinusha Fernando and swing of Gregg Leighton, before seizing the initiative against the change bowlers.

The pair provided the perfect foil for each other, with Bryan's immaculate defence and resolve allowing Young to play the more attacking role.

Once Fernando's opening spell had been seen off, Young played with increasing freedom and control and scored all round the wicket as the game swung dramatically towards the home side.

The persevering Fernando (3-58) returned for a second spell, but was wicketless as Young was now finding the boundary regularly, including a sweetly timed straight six and it was fitting he hit the winning runs with three overs left to finish on 91 not out.

Bryan finished with an equally invaluable 38 not out as Spa claimed 20 points.

Earlier in the day, Bromyard appeared to be heading for a big score in difficult batting conditions as their openers Ash Bullock (38) and Edd Oliver (21) put on 55 for the first wicket.

The returning Mike Rogers had bowled an impressive opening spell with no luck, but it was the introduction of Jake Young and Adam Crowle which ripped the heart out of the visitors batting as they collapsed to 69-5.

Young found some turn to pick up the key wicket of Fernando for just ffour as Ian Cottrill took the first of three catches.

Crowle (3-24) continued his impressive first season with Spa with another controlled spell of swing bowling and produced the ball of the day to bowl Leighton for a duck. However, the experienced Zahid Saeed batted calmly and along with Lee Ledbury (20) rescued the innings and seemed to be guiding Bromyard to a score in the region of 180.

Back came Spa as Crowle continued his good day with a stunning one handed catch to dismiss Saeed for 38 just as he was beginning to cut loose and Young mopped the tail up to finish with five for 50 off 16 overs as Bromyard were all out for 155. The victory moved Spa up to fourth place, just 16 points behind leaders Astwood Bank and two behind third placed Pedmore who they travel to next week.

In Division Three, Chaddesley Corbett remain second from bottom after going down by eight wickets against Harvington on Saturday. After being bowled out for 76, Corbett’s opponents replied by hitting 77-2.

Avoncroft leapt to the top spot in Division four after seeing off Old Vigornians by seven wickets.

Experienced bowler Paul Athey was in fine form as he tore apart Vigornians’ batting order with six wickets for 21 runs in 12 overs. Adam Rodway (2-20) and Ian Carpenter (1-23) also took wickets as Vigs were bowled out for 181.

Croft lost Spencer Cox for one run but David James came to the crease and guided his side to victory with 131 not out. Matt Hare struck 28 as Croft reached 183-3 in the 35th over.

They now face second-placed Ross-on-Wye at home on Saturday (1.30pm start).

Saturday fixtures - Worcestershire County Cricket League Division One 1st XI: Pedmore v Droitwich.

Division One 2nd XI: Droitwich v Pedmore.

Division Three 1st XI: Chaddesley Corbett v Harborne.

Division Three 2nd XI: Romsley & Hunnington v Chaddesley Corbett.

Division Four 1st XI: Avoncroft v Ross on Wye; Bromsgrove v Lye.

Division Four 2nd XI: Lye v Bromsgrove; Ross on Wye v Avoncroft.

Division Five 1st XI: Barnt Green v Canon Frome.

Division Six: Cutnall Green v Netherton.

Division Eight: Droitwich Spa v Worcester.

Division Nine: Chaddesley Corbett v Stourport. All matches 1.30pm start.