Adeel and Faisal star in Eastnor win
8:52am Thursday 1st May 2008
THE Crusader Worcestershire County League got away to a mixed start on Saturday, with four of the nine matches scheduled for local clubs failing to start due the weather.
In Division 1, Eastnor got away to a flying start with an excellent six-wicket win at Redditch, but Bromyard had to call their scheduled home game with Worcester off.
The Eastnor seam attack kept a tight rein on the Redditch batsmen after winning the toss. Jack Williams (81) batting at number five held their innings together until he became one of Faisal’s four victims late in the innings.With Eastnor fielding well, taking some good catches including two for young keeper Jamie Onions, plus two run outs, the home side were bowled out for 176 in the 49th over. Faisal finished with 4-51 from 13 overs and Shahid 3-16 off 10.
Adeel dominated the Eastnor innings, finishing up unbeaten on 78 after coming in at number three when skipper Jabran was out for a breezy 18. All the batsmen reached double figures to steer Eastnor to a comfortable win at 178-4 with more than 10 overs to spare.
It was a similar story in Division 2 where Monmouth picked up maximum points with an eight wicket win at Alvechurch and Hopwood, after bowling the home side out for just 76 on an unpredictable wicket.
Meanwhile Colwall were left kicking their heels when their game at Feckenham was called off.
Alvechurch surprisingly decided to bat after winning the toss, and soon rued the decision as their batsmen struggled against the seam attack of attack of Ian Mackinlay (4-31) and Paul Swingwood (2-15).
Only three batsmen reached double figures as spinners David Teague and Aled Jones took two wickets each to dismiss the home side in the 32nd over. Monmouth held nine catches, including two apiece for Dan Head and Martin Newell.
Dan Fisher scored a patient 21 to give the Monmouth reply a solid start. Australian recruit Jamie Craig made an immediate impact during his first innings in this country, helping himself to 24 from one over.
Monmouth cantered home in 24th over with Craig ending up unbeaten on 43 out of 80-2.
Wormelow were less fortunate in their Division 3 fixture against Harborne at the Kennel Field, going down by four wickets after losing the toss and being bowled out for 101.
Skipper Shaun Waldron made 37, and former captain Chris Powell (31), but after reaching 46-1 after 16 overs they were hustled out in the 39th over.
Chris Parry took an early wicket when the away team batted, but they had to wait until the score reached 38 to make another breakthrough. Tim Boulter (2-17) and Powell (2-24) kept them in with a shout but the visitors eventually plodded their way to 102-6 in the 53rd over.
Colwall 2nd picked up a winning draw in their home fixture with Feckenham. Tom Coleman and Dave Taylor shared an opening stand of 90, and then Sam and Joe Critchard added 60 at the end, to finish up on 234-6. They restricted the visitors to 130-9.
Wormelow 2nd scored a useful 204 batting second at Harborne, but went down by 93 runs as the home team had posted a huge total of 297-4 before tea. Eddy Coombes (51no) made the major contribution.