Whitchurch are on the up
Bridgnorth and Whitchurch continued to outline their division three promotion credentials – by being the only victors from Shropshire's seven Birmingham League teams. Bridgnorth and Whitchurch continued to outline their division three promotion credentials – by being the only victors from Shropshire's seven Birmingham League teams. While all of the other five county representatives were suffering defeats, Bridgnorth cemented their position in second place while Whitchurch climbed to fourth. It proved an exciting encounter at Cricket Meadow with Bridgnorth restricting Coleshill to 165-9 from their 55 overs, Tom Weaver and Jono Whitney each taking three wickets. Read the full report in tonight's Shropshire Star
Bridgnorth and Whitchurch continued to outline their division three promotion credentials – by being the only victors from Shropshire's seven Birmingham League teams.
While all of the other five county representatives were suffering defeats, Bridgnorth cemented their position in second place while Whitchurch climbed to fourth.
It proved an exciting encounter at Cricket Meadow with Bridgnorth restricting Coleshill to 165-9 from their 55 overs, Tom Weaver and Jono Whitney each taking three wickets.
Wickets fell regularly throughout the Bridgnorth reply until Matt Martin continued his fine form with an unbeaten 59 which, aided by 32 from Whitney and 23 from Gareth Mumford, helped the hosts over the line by three wickets with 10 balls to spare.
"A lot of our lads were making starts but getting out at the start of our innings but Matt played superbly again," said manager Ray Perry.
Mas Hasnain has won plenty of games for Whitchurch with the bat over the years, but he shone with the ball at Studley.
The medium pacer claimed 5-35 as Studley were dismissed for 125. And, despite a rare duck for Hasnain in reply, unbeaten efforts of 64 from Simon Bowen and 49 from Richard Oliver helped Whitchurch home by eight wickets inside 43 overs.
Not even the arrival of overseas pro Rajat Bhatia could conjure a much needed win for Newport.
He arrived at Heathrow less than 24 hours before the home clash with Olton and immediately made his presence felt with a fine unbeaten 90 as Newport closed their innings on 177-9.
Although Newport had managed to bat out their overs for the first time this season, the final score looked 20 or 30 below par – and so it proved.
The visitors reached their target with a couple of overs still in hand for the loss of six wickets, despite Bhatia claiming three scalps.
"Considering his late arrival in the UK it was a magnificent effort from Rajat," said club chairman Bob Williams. "Now it's up to the rest of the squad to give him the support he deserves and needs."
By JAMES GARRISON
