ALL-ROUNDER Andy Van Vuuren took 7-68 and hit 64 as Droitwich Spa CC First XI returned to form over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Van Vuuren made light work of Netherton in Spa's three-wicket victory last Saturday, a result followed up with a hard-fought winning draw in a fantastic match at Ombersley on Monday.
Wicketkeeper and captain Walsh, who contributed five catches, won the toss last Saturday and put Netherton in.
Van Vuuren and Mike Rogers showed what a fine opening attack they are, with Van Vuuren soon wreaking havoc in the top order.
Spa's visitors were not allowed to settle and soon found themselves 68-6, with Van Vuuren dismissing the top four.
Andy Lewis and Darren Hall highlighted Netherton's batting depth, the pair slowly recovering the situation with a partnership of 58, until Van Vuuren, back for his second spell, trapped Lewis LBW. Hall made his way to a fluent 74 but Van Vuuren continued his fine spell and collected two further wickets.
Netherton were all out for 195 in the 48th over.
Spa's reply started disastrously as four wickets fell for just 29 runs.
Craig Everett and Van Vuuren steadied the ship and both soon found their form to produce a match-winning partnership of 120.
Everett (69) showed his true class and Van Vuuren (64) proved he is a genuine all-rounder at this level.
Although Spa lost two more wickets, finishing the game seven down, victory was never in doubt.
l Spa were put into bat for the first time this season against Ombersley, with Matt Leddin and Paul Bryan faced with ex-Worcestershire all-rounder Duncan Catterall.
They produced a fine partnership of 103 before Neil Slade dismissed Bryan (47). Bryan's departure saw Leddin cut loose and the Australian scored freely on his way to a majestic maiden century of 115.
Spa posted a competitive total of 227-4.
Ombersley's openers Calvin Flowers and Phil Burdon started confidently, Flowers escaping when Walsh's catch was not given out.
The hosts did not lose a wicket until the score reached 99 in the 25th over when Burdon was superbly caught by Walsh.
Adrian Field and Martin Woodward accounted for Flowers and M D'Oliviera in consecutive overs but Catterall, the league's record run scorer last season, seemed to be guiding Ombersley to victory.
The hosts required 67 from the last ten overs but lost two wickets in the 44th. The game hinged on Catterall's innings and when Rogers offered a short ball, Leddin produced a fantastic catch on the deep square boundary.
Ombersley needed 17 from the last over but only got 12.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article