ON A WEEKEND when the wet weather resulted in almost all cricket matches being cancelled one matched survived the washout.

Sunday’s match between Burghill, Tillington and Weobley thirds and Fownhope Strollers thirds in the GB Liners Marches Division Three was the only league game played in the Worcestershire County League.

Some 180 matches were scheduled, but only Brick House Farm beat the weather thanks to their ground staff Neil Box and Mark Preece and the club’s drainage upgrade last autumn.

While Saturday was a complete washout Herefordshire cricket fans were treated to sunshine on Sunday and some entertaining cricket.

Strollers won the toss and elected to field in the damp conditions. Burghill found themselves 117-7 off 32.2 overs as Strollers were in the ascendancy.

However, a swashbuckling eight wicket stand of 67 from 44 balls between Graeme Morgan (37 off 30 balls) and Tim Davies (27 not out off 20 balls) swung the game Burghill’s way.

Davies was competing in his first match for 20 years, but it was evident from the first ball he faced (presenting the full face of the bat to the bowler), he would be one of the first players on the team sheet for the remainder of the season.

Meanwhile, Morgan was in belligerent mood and smashed two sixes and three fours in his 37.

Earlier George Stevenson had scored a stylish 32 before he was unfortunately run out.

Archie Stevenson 21 and Farkan Malik 11 were the only other batsmen to reach double figures. Strollers were led by Bradley Lucas and Craig Cornish who took two wickets apiece.

Burghill finished their innings on 185-9 off their allotted 40 overs setting a target for the hosts to defend with the ball.

In reply, Strollers made a cautious start and at 90-5 off 21 overs and the game was in the balance.

Burghill then introduced 16-year-old George Stevenson into the attack, after which Strollers were never in the hunt.

The visitors finished on 114 all out off 27.3 overs for a 71 run win for the Burgs.

Stevenson finished his innings with four for five off 3.3 overs and was ably assisted by all the other bowlers.

In particular 12-year-old Noah Morgan, who struggled during his first over in attack. However, his dad and coach was also playing in the game.

Told to shorten his run up, Morgan picked up dangerman Ethan Lerego caught and bowled for seven, and captain Craig Cornish who was caught for a duck, in a wicket maiden second over. Morgan finished with 2-12.  

The other wickets were shared between 13-year-old Guy Turner, 14-year-old Archie Stevenson, Ritesh Dua and Tim Davies.