Brockhampton CC secure dramatic first victory (From Hereford Times)

Brockhampton CC secure dramatic first victory

2:00pm Thursday 17th May 2012 in Sport

BROCKHAMPTON gained a sensational first success when the weather finally relented to allow them to make their Birmingham League Premier Division debut.

The villagers seemed up against it after being dismissed by the reigning champions Barnt Green for just 116.

But Brockhampton hit back to dismiss their hosts for just 42, their lowest ever league score, as opening bowlers Callum Stewart and Chris Boroughs claimed five wickets apiece.

“Playing against the champions in what was effectively our first game was always going to be difficult,”

said Boroughs.

“I know from previous experience that there are not many teams who come away from Barnt Green with a win.

“To do it in the manner that we did, after getting inserted and bowled out for 116, was tremendous.”

Only Dave Exall (44), Ben Stebbings (25) and Chris Powell (13) reached doublefigures as the Brockhampton batting struggled against Herefordshire spinner Stephen Beavan (5-31) and former Warwickshire all-rounder Dougie Brown (2-18).

But Boroughs and Stewart showed their quality to give Brockhampton a superb win.

“I didn’t think we had enough runs at that stage and I was surprised that they capitulated quite as easily as they did,” said Boroughs.

“It was nice to get a five-for first time out and Callum Stewart bowled really well.

“He knocked over a couple of the big players and he is going from strength-tostrength.

The way he has come on from when he first started playing Minor Counties cricket two years ago is brilliant.

“He is a very dangerous bowler now.”

While delighted with the sucess, the experienced Boroughs sounded a note of caution.

“We’re under no illusions that this is it, we’ve arrived and are here for good,” he said. “But it was important to show that if we play good cricket then we have every chance of beating other sides.”

Brockhampton were not alone is making an excellent start with Eastnor also opening their Division Two programme with a fine success.

After only just surviving last season, Eastnor showed that things may be different this time around as they enjoyed a five-wicket victory at Old Elizabethans.

After the home side had made a steady start, progressing to 41 without loss, Atiq ur Rehman made the breakthrough in his first over.

He went on to take 4-35 from his 17-over stint and, with good support from Shahid Ahmed (2-31), pegged the hosts back to 153-8 from their 55 overs.

Faisal Khalid (37) got the Eastnor innings away to a good start but matters were poised precariously at 100-5 when Atiq was joined by Mohammed Adeel.

But this pairing propelled Eastnor to victory with an unbroken sixth-wicket stand with the win achieved with Atiq’s third six to go along with four fours in an unbeaten 63 from 85 balls.

Adeel was content to provide back-up as he moved to an unbeaten 19.