Birmingham League Division Two (North)
Aston Manor 187-5
Wednesbury 130-8
MATCH DRAWN

Manor lost the toss and were asked to have first use of a damp track which was barely playable. As expected they found batting very difficult, but after the loss of an early wicket, both Andrew Forman (30) and the impressive 15 year old Waqas Younis (56) showed great application and technique in a partnership which gave the innings the required base to build a good score from. Another couple of youngsters,18 year old Scott Bryson (42) and 16 year old Brinder Phagura (35no), took full advantage of this with some fine stroke play as they accelerated the scoring rate to leave the visitors posting a very impressive total of 187-5 from their 50 overs considering the conditions.

As the ground dried batting definitely became easier, and Wednesbury’s openers looked very solid and confident before an inspired bowling change turned the match in the visitors favour. Experienced seamer Abdul Rahim (12-2-28-4), and 18 year old spinner Jack Hobbis (11-2-27-2) bowled superbly in tandem to stifle the hosts’ innings after Rikki Bassi had run out danger man Tahir Mohammed (33). Rahim’s line and length was exceptional and Hobbis showed great control for such a youngster, but despite another wicket from Phagura (1-23) and good bowling from Bassi and Shaun Carroll, Manor could not prise out the last two wickets as the hosts closed on 130-8.