Skipper Smith helps secure shock victory
EXHALL and Wixford pulled off a thrilling nine-run victory to stun Premier Division leaders Bretforton, allowing title rivals Shipston to head to the top of the table with three games to play.
The in-form Will Green hit a half-century for the hosts while skipper Sam Smith also played a key part in the nail-biting win.
Put into bat by their opponents, Exhall started strongly with openers Smith (44) and Julian Morris (27) giving their side a solid foundation. Gabriel Thornton added 20 before Green chipped in with 52 to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Stalwarts Simon Hollands, Scott Carmichael and Rob Perry lost their wickets cheaply but there were useful knocks from Martin Park (22) and Rich Layton (20) to help their side to 210/9 at the end of the 45 overs.
Strike bowlers Green (1-29) and Tom Richardson (2-46) soon had Bretforton in trouble, taking out the openers to leave them on 5/2.
An 83-run partnership led by Nick Powell (64) steadied things before he became the first of Layton’s victims on his way to 4-54.
Victory for Bretforton was still in reach going into the final over but Smith took the ball for the only time in the game and promptly dismissed last man Will Lloyd leaving Alex Evans unbeaten on 21 with his side all out for 201.
That allowed Shipston to take over at the top thanks to their 115-run defeat of visitors Long Itchington.
Batting first, the London Road side made 235/7 with Jack Murphy leading the way with 74 and Marcus Ireland adding 48. Oliver Smith took 4-63 from ten overs and Andy Wood impressed with 1-18 from his ten.
Long Itchington opener Tom Perks scored 45 but others struggled against some excellent bowling and the visitors were all out for 120. Of the bowlers, Stefan Obermeyer took 4-29 and Alan Horsford zipped through the lower order taking 4-15.
Wellesbourne won their match at home to Lapworth with 15 balls to spare. The visitors were dismissed for 183, Ravisankar Madhusoodanan taking 3-33 while there were two wickets apiece for Greg Ricketts, Joe Collins and David Barnett.
Opener Myles Isted and Madhusoodanan top scored with 37 apiece for the hosts with Jack Myatt adding a useful 36 to help secure the win.
It was even closer at Leek Wootton where Tanworth and Camp Hill had just five balls in hand when they chalked up the winning runs.
Tim Keyte’s 5-41 helped dismiss the home side for 203 before opener Lee Gill’s 81 fired Tanworth towards their target with Ben Bryant’s 34 not out helping them over the line.
Peter Dobson (73) and George Wilcock (63) put on 136 for the opening wicket as Kineton beat Elmley Castle by 50 runs. Isaac Rowles then added 68 and skipper Tom Durnian an unbeaten 24 as the hosts posted 269/9.
Dunian, Jack Stephens and Ben Harris then took two wickets each as the visitors were dismissed for 219.
