DROITWICH’S batting was again found wanting as they fell to a 23-run defeat at Worcestershire County League Division Two table-toppers Bromyard in their first win-lose fixture of the summer.
Due to torrential Friday night rain which had got under the covers at one end, the game was reduced to 30 overs and Spa made a decent start once the action finally commenced as spin twins Martyn Davies and Dave Stephens helped to restrict the hosts to 60-3 at the midway point.
Despite an excellent spell of 3-16 from Matt Gurr, the visitors were unable to force home their advantage or crucially dismiss South African Josh van Rensburg, who took advantage of being dropped twice to finish 82 not out as his side closed on 147-7.
Spa needed a good start but failed to get one as both openers departed quickly.
Partnerships between Jez Hanson (23) and Paul Bryan (19) as well as skipper Ian Cottrill (20) and Phil Thomas (24) threatened to swing the match in Droitwich’s favour only for wickets to fall at vital times.
There was some brave batting from the tail but it couldn’t prevent Spa falling short as they were dismissed for 124 in the 26th over.
There was another sparkling innings from Stuart Bryan for the Seconds but it wasn’t enough to prevent a 47-run defeat against Stourport, whose victory took them to the top of the Division One Second XI table.
Bryan followed up his half-century at Pedmore the previous week by hitting a brilliant 82 as he mixed effortless strokeplay with intelligent shot selections in an effort to keep the scoreboard ticking over as Spa chased 247 for victory.
Several of his team-mates made useful contributions but none were able to stick with him as the hosts eventually closed on 198-9.
The Stourport score of 246-4 was built on a 144-run opening stand between Spencer Colley (73) and Bevan Neill (69) as Karl Goddard and Adam Keen picked up two wickets apiece for the home side.
Another eye-catching knock came from Dan Cottrill, whose unbeaten 60 helped the Thirds to an emphatic seven-wicket win at Old Hill in Division Five where Joe Heywood grabbed four wickets.
Meanwhile, the Fourths suffered a heavy 178-run defeat at the hands of Hagley in Division Five Second XI.
On Saturday the Firsts will be hoping to make home advantage count as they host bottom-of-the-table Wormelow, the Seconds travel to Worcester Nomads while the Thirds and Fourths meet Redditch and Bromyard respectively.
