Corby stars with bat and ball in trophy game
AN opening partnership of 97 from Matt Corby and Dan Knight guided Shipston to victory at Wellesbourne, securing a piece of silverware and a place at the top of the Cotswold Hills League Premier Division at the same time.
On a rain-lashed afternoon, the game was the only one played in the top flight and was reduced to 20 overs per side.
It was also a memorial match for the clubs to commemorate two stalwarts – John Turner and John Bradley who passed away prior to the 2023 season. Wellesbourne won last season’s inaugural contest but the cup now has pride of place at Shipston’s London Road clubhouse.
Wellesbourne won the toss and elected to bowl first, something they came to regret as the Corby/Knight pairing piled on the runs.
Knight was caught in the deep for 33 but Corby went on to make an impressive 66 off just 43 balls including four 4s and three 6s.
He became Gary Maynard’s (3-26) second victim and with Reece Myatt (2-17) also impressing, Shipston were restricted to 148/8 from their overs.
The Wellesbourne openers made a strong start and were soon on 30 before Corby (2-14) made the breakthrough by dismissing Myles Isted (17).
The Shipston bowlers started to turn the screw and Sam Dexter (2-18), Josh Bolderston (2-26) and Stefan Obermeyer (2-25) ensured the hosts were left short on 110/9 to ensure a 38-run win for the new league leaders.
Alcester and Ragley climbed to the top of Division One following their seven-wicket defeat of The Lenches at Ragley Hall – another game reduced to 20 overs.
Put into bat, the visitors scored 130/6 with opener Luke Atkins leading the way with 53. Jack Biddle was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2-10 off his four overs.
Biddle then capped an excellent all-round display by scoring 60 off 34 balls including seven 4s and three 6s as the hosts reached their target in the 16th over.
Southam are just a point off top spot in Division Two following their four wicket win at leaders Stoneleigh.
Dean Jordan (3-31) and Craig Lenton (3-26) were the main wicket-takers as the home side reached 150/9 off 41 overs.
With a target of 151 from the same number of overs, Southam lost two early wickets but Lewis Dodds hit a boundary-laden 95 and formed a 122-run partnership with Pete Rigney (26no) to steer his side home.
Also in Division Two, Moreton-in-Marsh lost by five wickets at Kineton 2nds despite Vidur Jadeja scoring 70.
Shipston will be looking to maintain their place at the top of the Premier Division when they host Exhall and Wixford on Saturday while it is top against bottom in Division One when Alcester and Ragley head to Norton Lindsey and Wolverton.
In reply, Harborne reached 118/5 inside 25 overs with Andy Leigh, Ben Smith, Zach Smith and Kaif Ali taking the wickets.
