Record partnership lifts Mortimer
10:00am Tuesday 13th May 2008
A RECORD partnership ensured that Cleobury Mortimer secured a winning draw against Badsey and rose to third in the Worcestershire League Division Five on Saturday.
A fourth wicket partnership of 238 between Craig Shorter (136) and Ade Meredith (95) put Cleobury firmly in the driving seat in their second league match.
Shorter arrived at the crease with the score at 15-3, but he and Meredith turned the game round with good running between the wicket and some fine shots from both batsmen, including 10 sixes, as Mortimer made 276-4.
Wickets for Greg Shorter, Tom and John Griffiths and a solid opening spell from James Manley kept the visitors at bay.
Badsey could only manage 188-4 and salvage a losing draw.
Despite good bowling from Ed Kemp (4-39), Marcus Preece (2-45) and Dave Shorter (1-61) Harborne built a large total of 282-8.
Gareth Leech led Cleobury's attack with 53 runs, accompanied by Jared Reid (45).
Despite a late flurry of runs from Luke Baldwin (27) the total was too much to chase, and they fell 50 runs short on 232 all out.
They were bowled out by 149, with Chris Powell taking eight wickets for 44 runs, after Wormelow had made 200-7.
Fletcher hit 125 as Green were dismissed for 197 and their opponents made 198-5.
Matt Davies top scored with 86 runs as Chainwire made 209-8, before Highley replied with 210-6.