Tenbury 158-7 Birlingham 159-4

AFTER a slow start Tenbury hit out in the latter overs, but their final total was below par and home team Birlingham romped home to win by 6 wickets in Division 4 of the Crusader Worcestershire County League on Saturday.

Ben Thompson and Ian Taylor made a cautious start after losing the toss and batting first. The pair shared a stand of 37 for the first wicket before Thompson departed for 18. Wickets fell regularly after this point until the score reached 94-5 after 38 overs and with 12 to go. The only person to offer Taylor much assistance during this period was Darren Ingram who made 20.

After this Aaron Morris added a quick 15 and then George Pearson came in to belt an unbeaten 20 off just six balls at the death, including three consecutive fours. Meanwhile Taylor carried his bat for a patient 35. Tenbury finished on 158-7 off their 50 overs.

Birlingham looked to be positive when they responded after tea, their pinch-hitter B Seward striking a quick 20 before Jim Hunt beat his defence to bowl him. Hunt then combined with his brother Dave behind the sticks to take a second wicket.

G Spares and R Drake formed a good partnership to swing the game in favour of the home side. Pearson eventually bowled Drakes round his legs for 37. A Harrison struck 35 before becoming Joe Reynolds only victim, but they were now within 12 runs of the victory target.

Spares finished up undefeated, three short of a half century, when the inevitable win was achieved with 19 overs and six wickets to spare. Hunt finished with 2-64 from 12 overs and Pearson 1-49 off 9.

This week Rushwick are the visitors at Penlu.