Pleasant surprise for Bridgnorth
Bridgnorth captain Sam Whitney admits he was ‘surprised’ to beat Shropshire rivals Shifnal so convincingly in their table-topping clash.
Whitney’s team bowled out Shifnal for a mere 86 runs after the visitors elected to bat, before cruising to a seven-wicket victory in the Birmingham & District First Division.
It leaves Bridgnorth eyeing up promotion to the Premier Division following a run of seven wins in eight games.
“At the start of the season we were thinking finishing third bottom would be a successful season because we lost so many players,” admitted Whitney. “I’m not looking too far ahead, but the way we’re going, who knows? Everyone seems to be contributing.”
Worcestershire’s Charlie Morris (3-22) snagged the first three wickets, before David Exhall (4-48) and Whitney (3-14) cleaned up the rest.
Bridgnorth fell to 33-3, but in-form batsman Simon Gregory smashed an unbeaten 43 off 29 balls to ease them over the line.
“I was very surprised,” said Whitney. “Obviously Shifnal have got all their stars, and a couple of Australian lads. But we got on top of them right from the start.
“Our bowling attack complements each other. Charlie’s got the pace, Dave has the keeper stood up, he can swing it both ways and he’s very accurate, while I bowl spin. We don’t let the batsman settle. I was surprised they batted first in overcast conditions. We are a chasing side, so I couldn’t believe they chose to do that.”
Just 11 points separated six teams before the weekend, but Bridgnorth have now opened up a small gap.
“We’ve got Smethwick and Tamworth next, who are second and third,” said Whitney. “If we’re still top in the next couple of weeks I’ll be a bit more confident of promotion.”
Elsewhere in the First Division, all-rounder Samit Gohli scored 66 and took 4 for 31 as Wellington picked up a winning draw over Walmley. Despite the 16 points, they remain second-bottom.
In the Premier Division, Shrewsbury missed a great chance to move top when they fell to a 28-run defeat at Barnt Green, who posted just 154, with Dillon Pennington taking 3-38.
But Shrewsbury crumpled to 19-5 before an unbeaten 50 from Ben Stebbings restored some dignity. However, they were all out for 126 and remain third.
