Old Hill go second (From Halesowen News)

Old Hill go second

4:00pm Thursday 9th July 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

OLD Hill CC set up a top-of-the-table clash with Smethwick this Saturday (noon start) with a thumping win over Coventry and Warwickshire last weekend.

Skipper Nathan Round saw his side bounce back from the previous week’s derby day frustrations by maintaining their 100 per cent home record as they thrashed the visitors by 136 runs.

The win saw Old Hill move up a place to second in Birmingham League Division One, just a point behind Smethwick.

The hosts desire was evident from the start. After being asked to bat, Cameron Fox and Dan Wood had 60 runs on the board with only six overs bowled, though wickets then began to fall on a regular basis.

The exception was a half century partnership between Round and Worcestershire all rounder Richard Jones, before the county player was bowled going for another big hit.

Round eventually finished on 70 not out as Old Hill were dismissed for 219 runs off 49 overs.

Old Hill’s opening bowlers, Richard Jones and Elliot Wilson, were in superb form as they reduced Coventry to 77-7 before the obligatory rain shower arrived.

But this could not dampen Old Hill’s momentum as they knocked the visitors over for 82 with Jones taking 6-39 and Wilson 3-27 bowling unchanged.

The second XI also had an excellent seven wicket win away at League leaders Coventry & North Warwickshire.

Coventry were asked to bat first and thanks to a brilliant spell of bowling by Australian, Nick Dunford, (4-21) backed by Ollie Moseley (7-2) and Sam Perruzza (13-2), the home side were bowled out for 93 runs off 42.2 overs.

Old Hill’s reply was well marshalled by Mo Shoaib (54 not out) who guided the visitors to their target off only 23 overs to finish on 94-3. They now face Smethwick at home this Saturday (12.30pm) The third XI lost their game at title chasing Harvington by nine wickets with a lacklustre display.

Batting first, Old Hill scored 187-8 off 45 overs thanks to good contributions from Dan Jones (46), James Hunt (36) and Reece Shilvock (24). The home side then batted very well to total 191-1 off 29 overs to cruise to victory. The thirds now face Chain Wire at home this Saturday (1.30pm).

The fourth XI were involved in a nail-biting game at home to second placed Hagley. Old Hill scored 198-8 wickets off 45 overs with Irshad Ahmed (47 not out) and Neil Pestridge (35) the pick of the batsmen.

With Hagley needing 18 runs for victory off the last over, Old Hill skipper Irshad Ahmed held their nerve as the visitors finished on 197-8 giving the home side a creditable winning draw. The fourth XI face Hagley away this Saturday (1.30pm) The Sunday XI’s game away against Amblecote & Wollaston ended disappointingly in an abandonment.

Old Hill, batting first, scored 217-8 dec off 39 overs with Imran Mateen scoring 50, with support from Carl Whyte (33) and James Hunt (32).

The home side’s reply was interrupted by rain after 11 overs with the score on 32-3. Play resumed after the rain but with Amblecote still over 100 runs short of their target with five wickets down, play had to be abandoned as it was impossible to bowl the necessary number of overs to constitute a match before the 7.30 p.m. cut off time.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)