Bromyard Cricket Club's Edd Oliver looks forward to Worcestershire County League clash with Colwall (From Hereford Times)

Bromyard Cricket Club's Edd Oliver looks forward to Worcestershire County League clash with Colwall

1:20pm Thursday 5th July 2012 in Sport By Ian Morgan

VICE-captain Edd Oliver believes Bromyard are now handily placed in their Worcestershire County League Division One title bid.

He praised the outstanding form this season of allrounder Dinusha Fernando, who has scored 342 runs and bagged 25 wickets.

Fernando shone with the ball, taking 4-27 in Bromyard’s emphatic eight-wicket win over Redditch at Flaggoners Green.

Bromyard are now fifth in the table — just 25 points off top spot.

“We have had five wins and two losses — and the two losses were after we had been stuck in to bat,”

said Oliver.

“We are now fifth in the league and we are at Coombs Wood this Saturday, who are struggling, and then we play Colwall the week after.

“Colwall have had a bit of a hold over us — we can’t seem to beat them in the league.

“Hopefully, we can break our bad run against Colwall and put one over on them.”

Redditch struggled to score quickly on a drying pitch last Saturday against accurate bowling from Fernando, Greg Leighton, Matt Bullock, Zahid Saeed and Will Yarnold.

Despite a late 30 from Yassar Altaf, Redditch could muster only 131-9 from 50 overs.

“Dinusha bowled very well again and we’ve been a bit like a one-man team this season because he’s done so well,” said Oliver.

“Matt Bullock has been very accurate this season and he’s now bowled 23 overs at a cost of just 51 runs.

“There have been other guys who have chipped in and scored useful runs and taken wickets.

“Redditch found it hard to score on a drying pitch. I was pleased for young Will Yarnod, who took two wickets with his spinners.

“It’s his first proper season in the first team and he’s now taken seven wickets altogether.”

Ashley Bullock and Oliver gave Bromyard a solid start, putting on 45 runs for the opening wicket before Oliver was lbw for 27.

Bullock (43) and Saeed combined to take Bromyard towards the target until the left-hander was trapped lbw.

Saeed remained undefeated, striking nine fours and two sixes in his 59 which swept Bromyard home in 31 overs.

Oliver says there isn’t one team which appears to be the stand-out team in Division One.

“On their day, I think anyone can beat anyone in the division,” said Oliver.

“It’s very competitive with the likes of Astwood Bank, Pershore, Pedmore and us all pushing towards the top.

“It’s still all to play for and hopefully we can continue our run against Coombs Wood and then Colwall.”