Brockhampton safe in Birmingham League Premier after Wellington victory (From Hereford Times)

Brockhampton safe in Birmingham League Premier after Wellington victory

9:00am Thursday 16th August 2012 in Sport

BROCKHAMPTON have ensured they will have another crack at the Birmingham League Premier Division after a comprehensive success against basement club Wellington.

The Herefordshire side, who have impressed in their rain-affected first season in the competition, were not in any serious danger of the drop but by picking up maximum points they have banished all fears.

“The guys did well, they got what they deserved and it was a good victory,” said coach Ed Price.

“We were looking forward to hosting some great Birmingham League sides and their players but that hasn’t happened.

“We dreamed of coming up into this league and pitting ourselves against those guys, it’s really disappointing that we have lost a lot of those games to the weather.

“After today, we are now safe, we believe that we have enough points and perhaps we can look at the top half.

“Fourth is not out of the question and that is what we will be looking at from now on.”

Brockhampton skipper Owen Price lost the toss and Wellington decided to bat first but must have regretted the decision after the home side’s attack took full advantage of any remaining dampness in the pitch.

Callum Stewart (2-26) picked up the first wicket, before sustaining a hand injury, and Charlie Griffiths (3-26) collected the lower order but it was Chris Boroughs who was, once again, the pick of the home attack, claiming 5-55 from 17 overs of accurate seam bowling.

“Chris’ experience is immense, both with the bat and with the ball,” said Ed Price.

“It’s good to see us performing when he doesn’t do quite so well but today he showed his quality with a really good spell. They were hard-earned wickets and it was typical Chris Boroughs, real quality.”

Skipper Owen Price added some praise for his leading all-rounder.

“I was very pleased for Chris to pick up another five-for but the other guys bowled very well, too,” he said.

“Callum did well until he got injured, Charlie Griffiths has been in top form all season, he bowled well again – he’s taking my job away from me a bit.”

Price was only required for three overs of his off-spin but made his mark with astute field-placings and careful management of his attack which ensured that the home side had just 108 to chase.

Adam Hewlett and Ben Stebbings got them away to a good start before Wellington skipper Wendell Wagner, working up considerable pace and hostility down the bank at The Parks, removed Hewlett and then penetrated Boroughs’ defence first ball.

This brought Henry Langford in to face the hat-trick ball but, despite a half-hearted leg-before appeal, he survived without much alarm and went on to thrive.

“To be honest, I had forgotten it was a hat-trick ball and that’s probably the best way to do it,” said the Wiltshire batsman.

With Langford scoring at a run a ball and the solid Stebbings unfurling a couple of glorious cover-drives, the victory target was achieved with just over 23 overs of the reply used up.

“We’re very happy with that,” said Owen Price.

“Wellington have been firmly bottom for a week or two and we had to target them as one to beat to ensure our safety.

“We’ve done that 24 points to nil so we could not ask for more.

“We’ve beaten some good sides and given some other good sides a run for their money.

“We’ve not lost too many outright which is very good. We’re really just trying to establish ourselves at this level at the moment and we’re doing that.”

The skipper now feels that, with no more worries about relegation, the club can concentrate on a good finish to the season.

“At the start of the season, 10th by a point would have been a success and we would have been over the moon just to keep our Premier League status,” he said.

“But looking at it now, we have got to really be targeting top half just to give ourselves a real boost going into next season.”