Wellington 1st team won their third game in a row which moves them within 13 points of leaders Smethick.
After losing the toss and batting first against a very good Halesowen bowling attack, Wellington were bowled out for 168. Asif Sultan top scored with 38 and was well supported by Wendall Wagner with 32.
At the halfway stage it looked like Wellington would have to bowl very well on a good batting pitch to defend their score. The innings started well when Halesowen were reduced to 11 for 3 thanks to 2 wickets in an over by Mark Downes and then finally bowled out for 66 with Anthony O’Connor taking 5 for 31 giving Wellington a maximum 24pts.
Wellington 2nd XI away to Ombersley
Wellington 305 for 6 in reply Ombersley 181 all out
After losing the toss and being put into bat on a good hard wicket Wellington made a good start with youngsters Tom Saunders and Ben Morris putting on 84 for the first wicket in 18 overs. Wellington finally amassed a total of 305 for 6 with Tom Saunders 47, Steve Moules 48, Mo Zaheer 53 and Stewart Black 49 n.o. the main contributors.
In reply the hosts got off to a good start but good fielding and bowling finally restricted the home team by applying good pressure. Aswin Babu, 4 for 50 off 18 overs and Steve Moules 3 for 29 were the pick of the bowlers eventually bowling Ombersley out for 181 in 44 overs.
Taking the maximum 24 points Wellington 2nds extend their lead at the top of the table.
Wellington 3rds 209 bt Whittington 171 by 37 runs
Danny Parton (59) and Alexis Bristow (26) gave Wellington a great start with a fine 50 run opening partnership.
A flurry of quick wickets then saw the innings in touble at 77-5. Stuart Taylor (58) then stayed with Dammy Parton to begin the recovery that was continued through a quickfire 37 by Dave Hudson to lift the side to a challenging total.
Early wickets saw Whittington reduced to 41-4, before a fine 5th wicket partnership of 80 put Whittington back in with a good chance of victory. Sam Lloyd then dismissed both in quick succession, the first through a sharp reurn catch. Whittington continued to play their shots and go for the win, but wickets fell steadily to leave Wellington the victors in a hard fought tussle.
Guilsfield 4pts - Wellington 4ths 5pts
The 4ths lost again, but this time to the weather as they travelled west over the border to Guilsfield.
Coach-cum-skipper Martin Fears again won the toss as stand-in captain (that’s 6 out of 7 now) and invited Guilsfield to bat first on an interesting looking wicket, not least as the groundman had marked up creases at each end but they did not align to each other.
Guilsfield openers Griffiths (16) and Hughes (9) started briskly but departed in similar fashion with a good catches from Mike Nadal and a stunning one-handed catch at cover from 4th team debutant Ased Jahangir. However, after 40 minutes and 8.2 overs the rain came and the sides took shelter with the score at 3-35 with all 3 wickets falling to seamer Ben Keeble.
A heavy and prolonged rain shower persisted and after tea, despite some warm sunshine, the match was finally called off. Next week sees the 4ths travel to Overton.