Bewdley's promotion hopes dented

1:00pm Wednesday 20th August 2008

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BEWDLEY’S promotion hopes in the Worcestershire Crusader League were dented as their match against Feckenham was abandoned because of rain on Saturday.

Put into bat Bewdley lost opener Paul Beard (4) and Simon Smith (13) early on.

Simon Mauger stabilised the innings with a patient 44, helped along by Martin Flack (28) and Robbie Combes (33), and with big hitting once again from Martyn Carr (38) Bewdley managed to get to 193-6 on a wet wicket.

But the action was stopped by torrential rain as they were awarded eight points, which left them fourth in the table, 23 points off leaders Coombs Woods with four games to go.

The seconds saw a promising position ruined by the rain on Saturday.

Captain David Jones won the toss and elected to bowl first, with bowlers Sean Robinson and Dave Cowdery terrorising Feckenham’s openers with little reward.

The damage was done by Jones (3-54) and Mark Hudson who claimed 6-35, as Bewdley contained their opponents to 142.

However, with a win in their sights the rain came after just two overs of their reply.

Chaddesley Corbett managed to avoid the bad weather but only gained two points as they were held to a losing draw against Pershore.

They were bowled out for 79 but in a rain delayed game Pedmore could only make 48-2 in reply.

In Division Three, Stourport’s batsmen had a field day but the team were left frustrated as the rain forced the game off against Old Edwardians.

A century first wicket stand between Neil Bailey and Mark Moss, who top scored with an impressive 121 not out, gave Stourport the advantage.

Bevan Neill then punished the bowlers with a couple of big sixes in a quickfire 43 and was followed by Craig Siwicki, who also piled on the agony for the hosts with an unbeaten 45 not out.

Stourport totalled 275-2 in their 50 overs but the rain came down and ensured they earned them nine points to keep them seventh in the table.

The second team also did well against Old Edwardians, with bowlers Chris Mills (5-58), Matt Roberts and John Downes taking wickets to restrict their opponents to 120-9.

In reply the game was there for the taking but in the third over the air ambulance helicopter requested to land on the outfield which temporarily halted play. Persistent rain then followed and the match had to be abandoned with the hosts on 4-1.

In Division Nine Stourport’s third team ended the season second from bottom after losing by six wickets to Romsley and Hunnington.

Put into bat Stourport made 1447 all out, with Ryan Delo (51), Sam Hayes (25) and Ian Hayes (22) in the runs.

In reply Romsley reached 148-4 in the 32nd over to win by six wickets.

n Cookley were left frustrated by the rain in Division Three as their clash with Enville was forced off.

Enville made 197-7 from their 50 overs, while the consistent Gary Mills (4-93) was once again the star with the ball for the Lea Lane men.

However, the rain arrived at tea time and ended any further play for the day, with both sides having to settle for eight points each.

Cookley’s second string were in fine form in the return fixture at Lea Lane, and finished off their Enville counterparts before any rain could bring a halt to proceedings.

Having been asked to field first, Cookley’s rampant bowling unit dismissed their local rivals for just 61, as Scott Rollings (4-11) ripped through the visitors’ middle order. Luke Groves, Simon Anderson and Dan Soley all claimed two wickets each.

In reply, Cookley needed little more than ten overs to reach 62-2 for the loss of two wickets, with opener Adam Matthews smashing 40.

Rain also forced off the derby between Chainwire and Brintons in Division Five.

Chainwire had made 140, while Brintons were prevented from playing in the eighth over after reaching 30-2.

Nick Griffiths (106 not out) and Ben Griffiths (70) got amongst the runs in Cleobury Mortimer’s abandoned game against Highley.

Cleobury's second had better fortunes with the weather in Division Eight as they got the better of Astwood Bank by three wickets.

Bank were kept to 142-9 and Jared Reid (67 not out) guided Mortimer to 146-7 as they finished the season third from bottom.