2nd XI Match Report - 29/5/22

Ben Hansford paints the picture from Saturday's fixture at home to Bromyard.

Another youthful 2^nd XI took on a senior Bromyard side at home on Saturday, Belb fielding four under 18’s to Bromyard’s one.

Losing the toss, Belbroughton were asked to field and the opening bowlers Stevens and Heilbronn continued their excellent partnership picking up early wickets to see Bromyard 7-3 in no time and their opening 12 over partnership returning 20-3. Their tight, accurate swing bowling at the start of the innings arguably the highlight of the season so far.

Reece and Godsall rebuilt sensibly for Bromyard, before Priest got in on the act removing Godsall to leave Bromyard 45-4. The dangerous captain Reece looked comfortable and team tactics saw Belbroughton begin to starve him of the strike. Flowers picked up another wicket to leave Bromyard 64-5 and struggling.

Reece remained startled of the strike and eventually succumbed to Priest, but not before he and Mills had crept Bromyard to 98-5. Belbroughton looked in control as Mills got away with some big shouts from Karvaski, and the returning Stevens and Flowers picked up another apiece leaving Bromyard 128-8. The returning Heilbronn saw their number 10 dropped by a straightforward chance and Belbroughton paid the price as he went on to bludgeon a quick fire 34 taking the run chase to 180 rather than what looked to be a sub 140 score.

In return MacKenzie and Dunn took Belbroughton 50 in good time, before Bromyard’s spinners proved hard to get away. Belb were 75 in the 23rd before Dunn was dismissed for 30. The next 9 overs yielded 38 runs before Heilbronn was dismissed, leaving Belbroughton 113-2 needing 67 to win off 13. Mackenzie went for a resilient 40, shortly after which Hansford went for 10 trying to work a single. Burrows showed good resistance punching 15 but unable to form any meaningful partnership against stubborn and experienced death bowling Belbroughton limped to 147-9.

Another case of what could have been, the difference being that cameo from their number 10 after being in control for large parts of the match. Positives include the return of Dom Priest getting some good overs under his belt and providing additional control alongside Karvaski in the middle bowling overs, restricting a side who has scored 320 the previous week to what should have been an even lower score. The batting continues to lack middle order firepower due to absence and availability. We go again away to Himley next week and now sit in the relegation zone.

Bromyard CC - 179/9 (45 overs)

Belbroughton CC - 147/9 (45 overs)

MVP - T Stevens (52 points)