After last weekends unwanted rain, week thirteen saw the weather improve slightly to allow a full match programme to take place with only a few matches being affected by isolated showers during the afternoon.

In the Premier Division.  Maverick Perry (125) fired an excellent first innings century and Dam Wale (5-37) returned excellent second innings figure for Stourbridge 1^st XI in a comprehensive win against Pedmore which catapulted them back to the top of the table as Stourport-on-Severn 1^st XI had a bad day against Redditch 1^st XI when overseas amateur Talon Reichart (5-8) ripped through the early order batting to help dismiss last week top dogs for just thirty nine runs in the second innings. Pershore 1^st XI also took advantage of Stourports result by beating Astwood Bank 1^st XI by a four wicket margin at Sambourne Lane, a result that helped them climb in to second place just five points behind the new leaders, Stourbridge 1^st XI.

In other matches in the division, the ever consistent Muhammad Wali (5-57) helped Lye 1^st XI dismiss Brockhampton 1^st XI in the second innings to earn the visitors a win which keeps them in fourth position sixty two points adrift with nine matches remaining. Jayden Levitt (108*) complied a quickfire unbeaten second innings century to help Bromsgrove 1^st XI cruise to a nine wicket win against Old Elizabethans 1^st XI for whom Joe Taylor (94*) had carried his bat in the first innings at St. Godwalds Park and in the basement battle Worcester Nomads 1^st XI were forced to settle for a winning draw after David White (79) and Nick Jones (4-17) delivered telling performances to negate Bromyard 1st XI who finished eight wicket down in the second innings well short of the target at Whitegates Farm 

InDivision One. Jack Warner (5-33) restricted visitors Ombersley 2^nd XI to a first innings total that the home side managed to knock off for the loss of just four wickets at Cherry Hill Road, a result that saw Ombersley slip from third to sixth and helped the home team open up a thirty point gap to second placed Worcester 1^st XI who too full advantage of last weeks second placed team Droitwich Spa 1^st XIs loss to Burghill, Tillington & Weobley 1^st XI (Ben Morgan, 102) when they made the trip to Bartestree & Lugwardine 1^st XI and walked away with a four wicket win largely thanks to a fine first innings bowling performance from Luke Deeprose (6-9) who took six first innings wickets at a minimal cost that restricted the home team in the first innings. Halesowen 2^nd XI and Bewdley 1^st XIs were two other teams that benefitted from results on the day as firstly Halesowen 2^nd XI moved in to third place, just four points off the promotion places after Harry Kitchen (4-27) helped dismiss Chaddesley Corbett 1^st XI twenty runs short of a gettable first innings target at Longmore and Jacob Tanser-Harvey (102) and Jack Mills (4-65) helped Bewdley 1^st XI move into fifth place by beating Hagley 1^st XI by seven wickets at Hagley Hall, whilst in the other match played in the division Himley 2^nd XI earned a winning draw batting second in a rain affected match against Coombs Wood 1^st XI in which Ayaan Anis (5-16) performed well for Coombs Wood in the second innings. .

Division Two still looks like a race for the second promotion place and a battle for survival at the bottom as leaders Netherton 1^st XI bet Belbroughton 1^st XI by fifty three runs to maintain their seventy point margin at the summit. Barnards Green 2^nd XI remain the team in second and currently in pole position to gain promotion after beating Oldswinford 1^st XI by over one hundred runs at North End Lane. Colwall 1^st XI remain seven points further back in third place after their in-form batting line up led by Jack Collins (143) and Sam Williams (100) posted over three hundred in the first innings which proved far too many for visiting bottom of the table Bromsgrove 2^nd XI who to their credit showed the fighting qualities required that they will need to avoid the drop by hanging on to a draw, nine wicket down in the second innings well short of the target.

In other matches in the division, Alvechurch & Hopwood 1^st XI recorded a comprehensive nine wicket win against Cookley 1st XI and remain just two points behind Colwall in fourth place with Kidderminster 2^nd XI a further fourteen points adrift after they tied what must have been an enthralling game against Astwood Bank 2^nd XI at Chester Road Sports Club, and finally, Bredon 1^st XI secured a winning draw against Enville 1^st XI which moved them to within two points safety in eleventh place in the table.    

Rushwick 1^st XI secured the result of the day inDivision Three, when they travelled to play Netherton 2^nd XI and walked away with a tight one wicket win in which Jack Yendall (7-73) performed admirably with the ball in the first innings to help restrict the home team to a gettable target which they passed for the loss of nine wickets. However, this defeat merely dented the Netherton 2^nd XI march to what looks like a promotion winning season for their 2^nd XI as they remain forty points clear of second placed Harborne 3^rd XI, who enjoyed a seven wicket win against Stourport-on- Severn 2^nd XI at Walshes Farm Meadow and fifty nine points clear of the rest of the promotion chasing pack led by Lye 2^nd XI who beat Brockhampton 2^nd XI by three wickets at the Parks after Obaid Afzal (5-8) helped dismiss the home side for a gettable first innings total which the visitors passed for the loss of seven wickets.

Elsewhere in the division, fourth placed Himbleton 2^nd XI lost ground on the race for promotion by losing to Old Elizabethans 2^nd XI by five wickets at the Memorial Ground. Avoncroft 1^st XI beat Martley 1^st XI by nine wickets at the Jewry Field and Noman Chaudhry (5-46) helped bottom of the table Redditch 2^nd XI grab an important win against Feckenham 1^st XI which means that the bottom four are separated by just twenty points with nine matches remaining and all still to play for.

InDivision Fourbasement side Stourbridge CC 2^nd XI breathed life into the fight at the top and bottom of the table when they pulled off what has to be described as an unexpected win against leaders Worcester Nomads 2^nd XI at the War Memorial Ground. Hamzah Iqbal (83) led the way with the bat for the Glassboys who managed to post a total that proved well out of reach of the visitors after losing early wickets. However, things did not turn put as badly as they could have for the Nomads as the match between second placed Droitwich Spa 2^nd XI and third placed West Malvern 1^st XI was abandoned just as an excellent finale was approaching with second placed Droitwich Spa 2^nd XI requiring another one hundred and thirty eight runs to win with eight wickets remaining at a rate of just under four an over, which al in all meant that both chasers were unable to make the ,most of the opportunity as they were forced to settle for the abandoned points (plus bonus [points) which closed the gap to seven points and eighteen points respectively.

Elsewhere in the division, fourth placed Hagley 2^nd X missed the chance to close the gap to the promotion places as Monty Jelfs (125) scored a first innings century for Old Vigornians 1^st XI to ensure the total set proved too many for Hagley 2^nd XI to chase. Fifth placed Claverley 1^st XI also missed the boat despite the best efforts of Dougie Roberts (7-56) who took seven Five Ways Old Edwardians 1^st XI wickets in an eventual one hundred and twenty nine run defeat at the Masshouse. Joshua Jones (168*) struck an excellent undefeated second innings century to help Worcester 2^nd XI beat Romsley & Hunnington 1^st XI by nine wickets and finally Sudhir Prabhu (120) complied a second innings century to lead Harborne 4^th XI to a four wicket win against Old Hill 2^nd XI for whom Imran Sharif (112*) had earlier posted a first innings century of his own.

In the win/lose divisions, Division Fiveleaders Tenbury Wells 1^st XI suffered their second defeat in as many weeks as they were beaten by forty nine runs by Coombs Wood 2^nd XI at Stewarts Road. This result helped second placed Malvern 1^st XI to close the gap to just eight points after recording a win against Bromyard 2^nd XI. Pershore 2^nd XI also took advantage to close the gap on the leaders as they sit a further point behind Malven in third after Iqbal Kasana (95) helped set up a home win against bottom side Barnt Green 3^rd XI who fought well in the second innings but ended thirty eight short of the first innings target.

In other matches in the division, Trent Turner (123) and Clare Boycott (105) helped keep Astwood Bank 3^rd XIs hopes alive as their first innings centuries help seal a win against Hanley Castle & Upton 1^st XI that keeps them within striking distance. Bewdley 2^nd XI beat Eastnor 1^st XI to consolidate their mid division position and finally Pedmore 3^rd XI leapfrogged Stourbridge 3^rd XI into eighth position as a result of beating them by seven wickets at the Green Field.

In Division SixHarvington 1^st XI made the long trip to play Alveley 1^st XI and left with the win despite the best efforts of Joe Twigg (5-22) who took five first innings wicket for the home team in the first innings, a result that helped them retain their eleven point lead over Himley 3^rd XI who recorded a win against Belbroughton 2^nd XI in a rain affected game at home. Third placed Kidderminster 3^rd XI, fourth placed Halesowen 3^rd and fifth placed dark horses all recorded victories against Old Vigornians 2^nd XI and Bromsgrove 3^rd XI and Chaddesley Corbett 2^nd XI respectively in a rain affected game which means just fifty points separates the top half of the table who all have each other to play in the second half of the season. Whilst in the other match played in the division Claverley 2^nd XI beat Chaddesley Corbett 2^nd XI in another match shortened by rain.

In the Regional Divisions, the two top teams in Division Seven (North) both lost, as when top of the table Cookhill 1^st XI suffered their second defeat in as many weeks against Ombersley 3^rd who posted too many for the leaders to chase in the second innings and Old Elizabethans 3^rd XI were soundly beaten by just under one hundred runs by Himley 4^th XI. These results helped Harborne 5^th XI to close the gap to nineteen points in third after they recorded a win against Enville 2^nd XI at Enville Hall, whilst Stone 1^st XI make up the top four after beating Romsley & Hunnington 2^nd XI by three wickets, which altogether means the top four are separated by just under forty points with the top two coming from two from four.

Elsewhere in the division, Charlie Bannister (88*) helped Alvechurch & Hopwood 2^nd XI chase down the first innings total set by Halesowen 4^th XI (Jude Johnston 101) for the loss of just four wickets and Oldswinford 2^nd XI beat Feckenham 2^nd XI comprehensively to create a fifty point gap to their opponents at the bottom of the table.

In Division Seven (South), as we await the result from the Birlingham 1^st XI versus second place Burghill, Tillington & Weobley 2^nd XI match, Ledbury 1^st XI beat Bartestree & Lugwardine 2^nd XI by six wickets to go seven points ahead of Burghill, Tillington & Weobley 2nd XI (whose match result has not yet been received). Bins George (79) helped Worcester Amigos 1^st XI chase down Worcester 3^rd XIs first innings total for the loss of five wickets which keeps them in the hunt, nine points behind Ledbury 1^st XI. Pershore 3^rd XI were conceded to by Canon Frome 1^st XI which catapulted them in to fourth position, four points ahead of Rushwick 2^nd XI who had a free week without a fixture and finally Barnards Green 3^rd XI beat Martley 2^nd XI by thirty eight runs despite the best efforts of Douglas Stormonth-Darling (5-36) who took five first innings wickets for Martley.

In the ten team Regional Division Eight(North Group),leaders Lye CC 3^rd XI were forced to concede due to the lack of provision for Sightscreens against Pedmore 3^rd XI, however second placed Netherton 3^rd XI failed to close the gap as they lost by eight wickets to Stourbridge 4^th XI. Harborne 6^th XI took the opportunity to close the gap by beating Old Hill 3^rd XI by a wide margin. Coombs Wood 3^rd XI are still in the mix after recording a ten tun win against Enville 3^rd XI and finally Oldswinford 3^rd XI beat Halesowen 5^th.

In the East GroupHimbleton 2^nd XI continue to enjoy a twenty eight point lead at the top after securing their ninth win of the season against Droitwich Spa 4^th XI. Second placed Inkberrow 1^st XI did what they had to do also when they beat Bredon 2^nd XI by eight wickets. Redditch Entaco 3rd XI remain twelve points behind in third place after Qasim Hanif (5-18) put Avoncroft 2^nd XI to the sword in the first innings to help set up a six wicket win whilst in other matches in the group Astwood Bank 4^th XI scored too many for Harvington 2^nd XI to chase in the second innings and Five Ways Old Edwardians 2^nd XI beat Pershore 4^th XI by forty four runs at Spetchley Park. 

In the South Group, leaders Hallow Taverners 1^st XI suffered an unexpected two wicket loss to Worcester Nomads 3^rd XI which allowed both Brockhampton 3^rd XI narrow the gap to just fifteen points in second after Matt Davis (100) led them to an eight wicket win against Malvern 2^nd XI and also welcomed third placed Fownhope Strollers 1^st XI back into the title race as Ethan Lerego (110) posted a first innings century in a comprehensive win against Old Elizabethans 4^th XI. Whilst, elsewhere, in the division Matthew Blatherwick (257*) stuck a personal best for Bosbury 1^st XI to ensure Eastnor 2^nd XI finished a long way back in second and finally Colwall 3^rd XI beat West Malvern 2^nd XI by six wickets to retain sixth place. 

In the West Groupleaders Droitwich Spa 3^rd XI retained pole position with a five wicket win against last week’s second placed team Stourport-on-Severn 3rd XI which enabled them to increase their advantage to thirty two points over Alveley 2^nd XI who leapfrogged Stourport in to second place after thirteen year old Sam Twigg (100) scored his maiden century in a sixty run home win against Hagley 3^rd XI. Ben Southall (124) scored a first innings century to help Cookley 2^nd XI post too many for Tenbury Wells 2 XI to chase in the second innings. Kidderminster 4^th XI come next after dismissing Highley 1^st XI cheaply to earn a seven wicket win and Simón Mauger (158) will feel a little aggrieved to end up on the losing side for Bewdley 3^rd XI who were beaten by one wicket against Old Halesonians 1^st XI at Wassell Grove.

As the countdown to the Division Eight Play Offs continues, the list of qualifiers and Quarters-Final matches would look like this with seven matches remaining;

1.Goodrich 1^st XI                       178 Pts/10      = 17.80 (Average Points Per Game)

2. Himbleton CC 2^nd XI                        192 Pts/11      = 17.45 (APPG)

3. Droitwich Spa CC 3^rd XI       190 Pts/11      = 17.27 (APPG)

4. Lye 3^rd XI                             187 Pts/11      = 17.00 (APPG) - Net Run Rate; 1.67

5. Hallow Taverners 1ts XI              187 Pts/11           = 17.00 (APPG) - Net Run Rate; 1.49

6. Builth Wells CC 1^st XI                   150 Pts/9             = 16.67 (APPG)

7. Netherton CC 3^rd XI                      176 Pts/11           = 16.00 (APPG)

8. Harborne CC 6^th XI                        175 Pts/11           = 15.91 (APPG)

Reserves

9. Brockhampton 3^rd XI                   172 Pts/10           = 15.64 (APPG) - 1^st Reserve

10. Garnons CC 1^st XI                       155 Pts/10           = 15.50 (APPG) - 2^nd Reserve

11. Fownhope Strollers 1^st XI          167.Pts/11           = 15.18 (APPG) - 3^rd Reserve          

12. Inkberrow CC 1^st XI                    164 Pts/11           = 14.91 (APPG) - 4^th Reserve

Quarter Final Ties

Goodrich CC 1^st XI                            v             Harborne CC 6^th XII           

Himbleton CC 2^nd XI                         v             Netherton CC 3^rd XI                         

Droitwich Spa CC 3rd XI                  v             Builth Wells CC 1^st XI

Lye CC 3^rd XI                                      v             Hallow Taverners CC 1^st XI                                           

InRegional Division Nine North Group, Neil Shuttleworth (6-6) helped Cookhill 2^nd XI stay top of the table as his first innings contribution dismantled Avoncroft 3rd XI which eventually led to a six wicket win. Himley 5^th Xi kept up with the pace seter to maintain the sixteen point gap after beating Redditch Entaco 4^th XI by six wickets. Avoncroft 3^rd XI lead the chasing pack forty nine points behind with Belbroughton 3^rd XI in fourth a further six points back after securing a six wicket success against Pedmore 4^th XI. Hagley 4^th XI are in mid division after beating Oldswinford 4^th XI and Feckenham 3^rd XI moved further away from the bottom of the table by beating Five Ways Old Edwardians 3^rd xi by forty seven runs.  

In theSouth Group Ledbury 2^nd XItop the group after recording an eight wicket win against Hanley Castle & Upton 2^nd XI who dropped to third after a James Batsford (132 retired not out) inspired Stone 2^nd XI posted a first innings total that proved out of reach for visiting Malvern 3^rd XI to chase and as a result leapfrogged Hanley Castle & Upton 2^nd XI into second. Rushwick 3^rd XI are fourth despite missing a week due to the uneven amount of teams in the division, three Points ahead of Bromyard 3^rd XI who missed the chance to advance after being bowled out cheaply in the second innings by Brockhampton 4^th XI whilst in the other match played in the division Droitwich Spa 5^th XI beat Barnards Green 4^th XI by nine wickets.   

Last week’s second placed team Builth Wells 1^st XI had a free week this week which allowed Goodrich 1^st XI to continue to march to the sound of their own beat in Marches Division Oneafter they took the opportunity to expand their lead to twenty three points by recording a nine wicket win against Luctonians 1^st XI. Garnons 1^st XI also benefitted from Builth Wells free week as they leapfrogged them in to second position after Paul Williams (85*) led them to a nine wicket win against Dales 1^st XI. Wormelow 1^st XI closed the gap in fourth by beating Woolhope 1^st XI by a two wicket margin but will need results to go their way in the run in if they are going to mount a challenge for the title this year and finally Kington 1^st XI beta Ross-on-Wye CC 1^st XI by six wickets and now sit twenty points clear of the bottom two, Ross and Dales.

In Marches Division Two, the match between Almeley 1^st XI and Builth Wells 2^nd XI was cancelled without a ball bowled which gave leaders Hay-on-Wye 1^st XI the opportunity to extend their led at the top of the table which they did by overpowering Canon Frome 2^nd XI by a wide margin thanks to excellent first innings contributions from Luke Bowen (86) and H Griffiths (67*). They now lead by thirty seven points over Almeley 1^st XI with Moccas 1^st XI a further thirteen points adrift as they closed the gap with a five wicket win in a low scoring match against Knighton-on-Teme 1^st XI. Whilst in the other match played in the division Wormelow 2^nd XI beat Woolhope 2^nd XI to leapfrog them into mid division.

In Marches Division Three, Joseph Griffiths (78*) and Andy Waldis (5-12) ensured Goodrich 1^st XI maintained their lead at the top as their performances in each innings helped set up a comprehensive win against Luctonians 2^nd XI who were bundled out cheaply in the second innings, Dales 2^nd XI kept themselves up with the pace setters by beating Almeley 2^nd XI by over one hundred runs, whilst elsewhere in the division Joseph Houchin (88) led Ross-on-Wye 2^nd XI to a wide margin win against Luctonians 2^nd XI and Bartestree & Lugwardine 3^rd XI beat Burghill, Tillington & Weobley 3^rd XI by twenty two runs to stay in third place twenty five points behind Goodrich 2^nd XI with a game in hand..

Stuart Lampitt