Dismal day for Exhall as Bret bowlers cause chaos

EXHALL & Wixford suffered a dismal day at the hands of Bretforton in the Premier Division of the Cotswold Hills League, losing by 198 runs.

With skipper Sam Smith and main strike bowler Will Green missing, it was always going to be a tough task for the home side and so it proved as opening bowlers South African Andley Adams and James Icke caused chaos, dismissing Exhall for just 88 as they looked to chase down a target of 286.

Stand-in captain Rob Perry put the visitors in to bat after winning the toss and there were some early breakthroughs for Tom Burgess (2-39) and Tom Richardson (1-27) with former Worcestershire ace Daryl Mitchell being bowled by the former for 19

But that brought Adrian Witts and George Kirby to the crease and they ramped up the scoring with a series of boundaries as Bretforton reached 286/6. Kirby was finally trapped lbw by Perry on 98 but Witts was there at the close on 100 not out.

In reply, Exhall were soon in trouble with both Julian Morris and Dan Price losing their wickets without scoring and just four batsmen reached double figures against the bowling of Adams (3-32) and Icke (5-29).

Opener Simon Hollands led the way with 20, Burgess made 14, Ben Price 13 and Perry 10 as the home side were skittled out inside 27 overs.

Exhall will be hoping for a first win of the season when they head to Wellesbourne on Saturday.

The Loxley Close are in second place after beating visitors Leek Wootton by three wickets at the weekend helped by a five-wicket haul from Greg Ricketts and a half-century from Gary Maynard.

Batting first, the visitors made an excellent start with the top three all getting runs. Opener Jack Erskine led the way with 58 and he was well supported by Sandeep Murthy (51) and Barney Dillow (48).

But with former Birmingham League bowler Ricketts taking 5-34 along with some tight bowling from Reece Myatt, Wellesbourne were able to restrict their opponents to 236/6 at the end of their 45 overs.

Opener Tilak Rathod was out lbw with the hosts on just 13 but they helped with Maynard top scoring with 51. At 177/7 the game could have gone either way but a 60-run partnership between captain David Barnett (36no) and Ricketts (26no) saw them over the line with three balls to spare.

Tanworth & Camp Hill remain top of the pile after they won by three wickets at Lapworth.

Oscar Newell and Tom Smith each claimed three wickets as the home side were dismissed for 170 with Aussie opener Joel Ithier then top scoring with 46. Newell capped a fine afternoon by steering his side to victory with an unbeaten 40 as Tanworth reached 173/7.

A half-century from Sam Cooper (50) helped Kineton to a 72-run win at home to Alcester & Ragley with James Cooper and Jordan Dunant then claiming four wickets apiece.

Sam Cooper’s knock along with useful contributions from James Cooper (42) and Thomas Husselby (38) helped Kineton to 202/9 and this was more than enough with their visitors slumping to 130 all out.

Opener David Stokes top scored with 23 against the impressive bowling of Dunant (4-29) and James Cooper (4-32).

An unbeaten 61 from Jamie Shurmer was not enough to stop Shipston from suffering a 42-run defeat at home to Adlestrop.

Batting first, the visitors reached 227/4 led from the front by captain and opening bat Sam Keen who hit 110.

Shipston skipper Ryan Worthington scored a steady 29 and Shurmer’s half-century kept the scoreboard ticking but they were all out in the 43rd over for 185.