WCB Indoor League

Elmley Castle 130-6,

Overbury 93-6

WITH both teams undefeated, it came as no surprise that Elmley were asked to bat first.

But Simon Cooper and Ian Woodford were in no mood to take things easy and had 29 on the board after only two overs. Although Baldwin slowed their progress it was only to give them a breather before they had their feet firmly on the accelerator again.

When they both had to retire, the Elmley lower order found great difficulty in keeping the scoring rate going. Although Steve Webb scored freely, frustration led to a series of run-outs and Elmley were in danger of capitulation on 100-4 after ten overs. Cooper and Woodford returned to add a splendid 30 from the last two overs with Woodford run out off the penultimate ball for a superb 47.

Overbury started their chase promisingly and although they lost Haynes early on, Westmore and Alex Munro had 64 on the board after only five overs with 17 runs coming off a wayward Woodford over.

When Munro was run out and Westmore retired, Overbury lost their way. Accurate bowling from Webb and Cooper pinned the middle order down and then Ken Sheward bowled just the one over for only four runs before Webb returned to complete the collapse to 93 all out.

The Boxmen 123-2,

Ashton-under-Hill 98-6

THE Boxmen took a weakened Ashton to the cleaners.

Batting first, The Boxmen were slowly out of their blocks, albeit Green and Lawrence senior built a sound base at a steady eight an over. But when Lawrence was run out with the score on 62, his son showed just what striking the ball is all about.

Getting gently into his stride, for an over or so, he then smashed four successive fours off Cooper to hasten the score to respectability. He then retired, leaving Colwall and Freebury to take 16 off the last over to end on 123-2.

Ashton found runs hard to come by. Although Richard Cooper had few problems, his colleagues had no support to offer. And with three run outs in the first two overs it was clearly not to be Ashton's night. When Griffiths came on to bowl his line and length caused great problems and Ashton lost their way.

Although Keen scored a quickfire 16, wickets kept falling. Cooper, however, continued to blaze away but found the task too much and with the score on 98, was last out for a sound 59.

League Table

P W L Pt R Ave

Elmley 3 3 0 6 394 35.8

Evesham 2 2 0 4 195 65.0

Overbury 3 2 1 4 289 17.0

Dumbleton 2 1 1 2 184 61.3

The Boxmen 3 1 2 2 293 29.3

Temple Grafton 2 1 1 2 188 26.9

St Benedicts 2 0 2 0 197 19.7

Ashton 3 0 3 0 290 16.1