Cookhill teenager Zach Smith hits a second successive century with 132 not-out
Worcestershire League, Division Seven North
Himley 4ths 121 (2 pts) lost to Cookhill 251-2 (20 pts) by 130 runs
TEENAGE opener Zach Smith continued his amazing run of form with a dazzling unbeaten century to help table-toppers Cookhill record a tenth win in a row.
Having hit 105 the previous week against Feckenham 2nds, the 16-year-old batter smashed 132 not out from 144 balls, including 18 fours and one six, to fire Cookhill to 251-2 in their 45 overs at Himley on Saturday.
Then the youngster showed his prowess with the ball, taking two wickets for eight runs to help dismiss the hosts for 121.
Smith has now scored 559 runs at an average of 62.11 and sits top of the club’s batting and bowling standings.
Having won the toss and batted, Smith and Kenny Hirst (41) put on 77 for the opening wicket. Then Smith teamed up with Ollie Hills (37) to add 85 runs for the second wicket before the teenager and James Stanley (20no) put on 89 to take the score to 251-2.
In reply, Himley got to 54 for the loss of one wicket but then Smith and Andrew Morgan (3-16) made inroads including the vital dismissal of top scorer Dasitha Gamage (30). With Philip Smith – Zach’s dad – also taking 3-25, victory was secured off the first ball of the 36th over.
Cookhill, now 33 points clear of second-placed Old Elizabethans, entertain Harborne 3rds on Saturday.
Cookhill 2nds lie one point ahead of Himley 5ths after some lusty late hitting from Alex Dalton propelled them to a 100-run win at home to Pedmore in Division Nine (North).
Dalton, who has not been able to play regularly due to university, made his presence felt by top-scoring with 65 off 71 runs, with nine fours, as they reached 195-7 off their 40 overs. Nathan Hill (20), Simon Edmunds (17no), Craig Ellicott (16), and Matt Laws (15) were the other main contributors.
Pedmore were soon in difficulty at 29-5 as Edmunds snapped up 3-11 and though Joseph Penko hit a defiant 32 off 80 balls the visitors were never up with the run-rate and they ended on 95-7.