Brockhampton win again as skipper hails bowling versatility

With six wins and a winning draw from their opening nine matches Brockhampton are in the title hunt and just eight points behind leaders Bromsgrove.

The Brock bowling attack has been in devastating form as they skittled a strong Ombersley seconds side out for just 78 runs, during a 99-run victory at The Parks last weekend.

After being put into bat Brockhampton opener Ian Bullock led the scoring with a steady 60, including seven boundaries.

Tom Skerrett added 30 at the opposite end, but scoring was limited against a good bowling attack and Brockhampton had to settle for a target of 177/8 off their 50 overs.

However, then the Brock bowlers got to work as Theo Barker took 4-19 and George Bouston 3-23. Opener Tom Oakley top scored, with eight batsmen leaving the crease with less than two runs to their names.

It took just 23.1 overs for Brock to chalk up another victory and increase their title charge.

“It was a great win against a very strong Ombersley side, the feeling is they’ll be the strongest team we play this season,” said Johnston.

“They bowled very well and Ian Bullock was back to his best scoring 60 helping us to 177.

“Our bowling attack then dominated once again with Theo Barker taking 4-19 the pick of the bowlers, bowling Ombersley out for 78 for another convincing win.”

Brockhampton are battling for honours on two fronts after also progressing through in the National Village Cup, with the final played at Lords.

Another impressive bowling showing helped the Herefordshire side to a five-wicket win against Aston Ingham last weekend, bowling their visitors out for 159.

This weekend Brockhampton will be hoping for a double home victory as they host basement side Redditch at The Parks on Saturday.

That will be followed the following day with a National Village Cup home tie against Dumbleton in the first of the National Rounds.

Johnston will be hoping for another good weekend for his side’s bowling attack. Talking about their impact this season, he said: “I think it’s just a varied bowling attack, we have Sam Harn and Theo Barker both at six-foot-four who bowl quickly with lots of carry.

“Then we have Greg Leighton who is so consistent in hitting the stumps and making batsmen play.

“We also have O’Shea Durack who is a left arm spinner, which is something batsmen don’t see a lot of.

“The two big lads are some of the fastest bowlers in the league which helps!”

Meanwhile, Bartestree & Lugwardine celebrated a six-wicket win against Bromsgrove following a good batting performance.

Bromsgrove elected to bat first and put a creditable score of 209 down before being skittled out almost two overs short of their allocation.

Ryan Trattell took 4-44 and Tom O’Connor 3-43 to give Bartestree a chance of chasing down the target.

Opener Peter-Daniel Blignaut set Bartestree on their way with a score of 49 before Ethan Lerego stepped up with an unbeaten 79 to secure the win.