THERE was heartbreak for Droitwich Spa as they narrowly missed out on their first Worcestershire County League Division One victory with a final over defeat at the hands of promotion-chasing Worcester.
After Spa had posted an impressive 269-8, Phil Thomas grabbed two wickets in the first over of the Worcester reply to put the hosts in a great position to clinch the elusive win.
However, the lusty hitting of Worcester’s Andrew Wilks and then a wonderfully paced innings from Mohammad Adeel kept the visitors in contention.
Their middle phase of the innings was also aided by several dropped catches and expensive overs.
Following Wilks’ departure for 50, Adeel kept up the momentum but Spa looked to be in the box seat when the eighth wicket fell with 62 runs still needed.
Jabran Khalid then joined his team-mate at the crease to deliver a cameo knock of 26 as the pair’s experience saw Worcester home with just four balls to spare – Adeel finishing unbeaten on 118, which included 11 fours and six sixes.
Earlier Spa’s Aussie Jordan Renau was also deserving of a century but fell one run short as he was cruelly dismissed leg before wicket after hitting 15 fours and a six.
Martyn Davies (58), Greg Mazgajczyk (34) and Ian Cottrill (36) also weighed in with important runs but Spa were still unable to reach the post-300 score which they had threatened and one which may have secured the win.
The Seconds maintained their position in the Division Two Second XI promotion places after cruising to a nine-wicket win at Wormelow.
After bowling out their hosts for just 132, Dave Huntbatch bludgeoned an unbeaten 86 from 62 balls which included 13 fours and four sixes.
The returning Ollie Sankey had earlier recorded 4-29, whilst Carl Thomson and Martin Woodward also delivered excellent ten-over spells which featured nine maidens and saw them finish with 2-24 and 2-17 respectively.
The Thirds were soundly beaten by 124 runs at Stourbridge in Division Five.
Only George Taylor’s 62 provided an innings of note as Droitwich failed to overhaul the home side’s 265-7 despite a strong batting line-up.
Stourbridge’s Sam Rodgerson crucially survived several spilled chances to make 110 for the hosts.
In the return fixture at St Peter’s Fields, veteran Steve Perry claimed 5-10 as the Fourths sneaked home by nine runs in an exciting Division Five Second XI encounter.
Regular run scorer Tom Goss hit another half century as Droitwich posted 164 before Stourbridge were bowled out for 155 in reply.
On Saturday the Firsts, who are 42 points adrift of safety, travel to Feckenham while the Seconds and Thirds take on Enville.
The Fourths play Bromyard in a friendly as they have no league fixture this weekend.
