NEWLAND made the trip to Stone for this Division Five WCL encounter and emerged victorious by five wickets after an awesome display of batting by Phil Birch.

STONE v NEWLAND

The Newland maestro struck 159no as his side achieved the 252 required for victory.

On winning the toss Stone had no hesitation in batting on what looked a super batting strip. Some accurate bowling and sharp fielding slowed their early progress. Newland were unable to make the breakthrough until the 25th over when Alridge was trapped in front for 50 with the score on 90. This brought Harrington to the wicket and he immediately set about the Newland bowling. Newland now suffered two blows; firstly Genever limped off with a calf strain, quickly followed by Stevens nursing a shoulder injury. With gaps in the field Newland were given the run around for the final 20 overs as 160 runs were accumulated. The return of Leech saw the dismissal of Bryant for 64 but Harrington was finding the adjoining field with ease it took an excellent running catch by Rouse to dismiss him for 64 leaving Leech three for 81 the best bowler. Some lusty late order hitting took Stone past 250 and Newland knew they had to bat well.

Newland secured the good start they needed as Freeman and Birch posted 74 runs for the first wicket in 14 overs. On Freeman's dismissal Phil Birch took total command. The Newland batter just got better and better. The boundaries were being peppered as Stone tried a variety of bowlers and Newland were always up with the rate. Two quick wickets fell but Birch found an ally in Riaz, who kept Birch company whilst the master batsman passed three figures with a towering six. When Riaz fell for 19 Newland still required 70 runs off 12 overs. Churchill entered the fray for his first innings of the season and with selective hitting added 50 precious runs with Birch but his departure for 12 brought the 'hobbling' Genever to the crease. He immediately picked out the fielders with a couple of excellent shots as the pressure mounted.

Birch eased the Newland tension with two mighty sixes and with Genever finding the boundary twice in the penultimate over Newland needed one off the final over. Birch stuck the first ball deep into the adjoining field to secure a five wicket victory. Birch's innings of 159 no contained 15 fours, 10 sixes and came off 120 balls .

The win keeps up the momentum that is gathering at Newland after an excellent semi-final victory over Chaddesley Corbett in midweek that sees them into the final of the WCL midweek Knockout Cup.

Tonight (Friday) Newland are holding one of their main fund raising events with a Race Night at the Newtown Club, Malvern, everyone is more than welcome.