DROITWICH’s batsmen were in fine form as crucial victories and the first century of the season were achieved with another player missing out on a ton by the narrowest of margins.
A superb 138 not out by Max Young steered the Firsts out of the Worcestershire County League Division One relegation zone with a seven-wicket win at Cookley, where the season’s opening day humiliation against the same opponents was vanquished.
Chasing 242, which included an unbeaten 116 from the home side’s Jaimen Rudd, Young showed the form that won him last year’s Worcestershire County League player of the season as he mixed great resilience with powerful hitting in a sparkling display.
Droitwich recovered from losing captain Martyn Davies to the first ball of their innings as Young shared useful partnerships with Jez Hanson (14), Paul Bryan (46) and Jordon Renau (21) to guide his side home with four overs to spare.
Ash Walton justified his promotion to the Seconds with a brilliant knock of 99 not out – unselfishly running a single off the penultimate delivery of the Spa innings of 247-4 instead of having the chance to reach a deserved hundred off the final ball.
In reply, Cookley were blasted out for 118 with debutant Chris Lester claiming 3-10 off nine overs and occasional bowler Pete Gurr picking up 4-33.
Pete’s son, Matt, was also in good form albeit with the bat as he scored his maiden half-century in the Fourths’ eight-wicket win over West Malvern in which another father and son performed well.
Tom Goss hit 71 as Droitwich successfully chased down the opposition total of 176 in which his wicket-keeper son, Joe, pouched four victims.
A clean sweep of victories was prevented by the Thirds, who were well beaten by 69 runs by West Malvern despite 61 from James King and 50 from George Taylor.
Next Saturday, Spa’s Firsts will be looking to achieve back-to-back victories when they take on Hagley at St. Peters Fields.
The Seconds travel to Lye while the Thirds and Fourths play Enville.
