A HAT-TRICK for 15-year-old Matt Gurr was the highlight of a disappointing weekend for Droitwich Spa as the First’s six-match winning streak in Worcestershire County League Division Two came to an abrupt halt.
Gurr’s treble came in the 49th over of an Oldswinford & Stourbridge Social run fest as the table-toppers posted a mammoth 357-5 on their way to a thumping 184-run victory.
His first victim was opener Tom Blunt, who hit a majestic and chanceless 157 and shared an impressive stand with Dom Freel (88) as the pair blasted 215 in T20 style from the final 20 overs.
Gurr, who returned 4-46, and Dave Stephens, who conceded 46 runs from his ten overs, were the only Spa bowlers to emerge with credit.
Droitwich needed a bright start if they were to make any impression against such a huge target, but early wickets tumbled as the top order tried to force the pace.
It was left to skipper Ian Cottrill to keep the innings together and add a degree of respectability to the score.
With solid lower order support from Phil Thomas (21) and Stephens (14), he fully deserved to be the second century-maker of the day but was unfortunately last man out for 80.
Off-spinner Oli Nicholls claimed 4-24 and there was three wickets for Matt Broad.
The Seconds were beaten by three wickets at Worcester in Division One Second XI and were left to rue losing their last five wickets for just 11 runs as they were 156 all out.
The Thirds were on the receiving end of Harvington’s Mark Humpston, who blasted 73 off 35 balls as his side chased down 155 inside 27 overs to clinch a seven-wicket win in Division Five.
Barnards Green under-12 star Ben Clarke put Spa’s Fourths into a spin as he ripped out their tail to claim 5-9 in an eight-wicket victory in Division Five Second XI.
However, Droitwich did return to winning ways with a Worcestershire Sunday League win over Avoncroft by 46 runs.
George Taylor added 77 to his 44 for the Seconds on Saturday as Spa scored 211 before Cam Moseley took 4-13.
On Saturday the Firsts make the trek to Herefordshire to play Bartestree & Lugwardine, the Seconds host Bewdley, the Thirds take on Barnt Green and Netherton provide the opposition for the Fourths.
