DROITWICH’S bowlers put Oldswinford & Stourbridge Social in a spin as they helped their side to an emphatic six-wicket win in Worcestershire League Division One.
Spa never looked back after skipper Martyn Davies’ counterpart called incorrectly as the visitors lost their first wicket to only the eighth ball of the match delivered by Phil Thomas.
However, it was Droitwich’s slow bowlers who did the damage. Davies (4-30), and Gary Cartwright (3-6) claimed wickets as Oldswinford were shot out for just 111.
The reply started disastrously with Young, Ash Fearnall and David Lane all being dismissed to leave the home side precariously placed at 12-3. This then became 31-4 before opener Max Young and Davies came to the rescue.
The in-form duo steadied the ship and steered Spa home in style by six wickets as they clinched victory in only the 16th over. Young scored 45 not out with captain Davies adding an unbeaten 42.
Despite fielding a strong batting line-up, Droitwich Seconds came up short at Feckenham — a result that seriously jeopardises their promotion push and probably means that they will need to secure wins over Pershore and Bromyard, the top two in 2nd XI Division Two.
After losing the toss, James Hancher and Rhys John made a steady start but the former’s dismissal for 42 sparked an alarming top-order collapse. Spa never recovered as they only managed to post 168.
Craig Hunt did give the visitors some hope as he followed up his hard-hitting 27 with the wickets of both openers.
However, after captain Karl Goddard pulled off an incredible caught and bowled to leave the home side wobbling, Droitwich were unable to push home their advantage.
Carl Thompson grabbed 4-27 on his return to his former stomping ground but Feckenham scraped in by two wickets.
Meanwhile, Spa Thirds suffered a seven-wicket defeat against Belbroughton after batting first.
Callum Goddard’s 58 was the stand-out innings as the prolific run-scorers of recent weeks failed to deliver.
Cagey spells from Ollie Sankey and Paul Foster could not stop the visitors surpassing their 181 target as Droitwich’s lead at the top of the Division Seven North table was cut to just six points.
