LEDBURY 2ND XI

v SHOBDON 2ND XI

SATURDAY saw Ledbury entertain Shobdon at home and they were soon in trouble as they were asked to bat on a green looking pitch. Early fears were confirmed as Tyler was out in the second over with the score on one.

This brought Ehrlich to the wicket and after playing himself in nicely he set about the opposition bowling, cutting and pulling in vintage style. Just as it all started to look easy for him a lapse in concentration left him clean bowled for a quick fire 23.

James then came to the wicket for his first knock in three seasons but he was run-out off his first ball in a terrible mix up with Greening. Phil Vernall looked set to feast on the bowling when he was bowled by the perfect Yorker for 27. Two more wickets fell cheaply and Ledbury were in trouble at 85-6 in only the 22nd over.

Clueit, mixing savage attacking blows with watchful defence, and Greening, playing the anchor role, turned the game on its head with a stand of 61.

It was somewhat of a surprise to see Greening play a loose shot when his score had reached 46. Clueit, with the help of Jones and Griffin, added a further 40 runs in eight overs to close the Ledbury innings on 185 all out, making his highest ever score of 60 not out.

The opening bowling of Phillips and Watkins claimed three early wickets and left the visitors rocking at 22-3 from nine overs.

But a dropped catch by Ehrlich off Watkins saw Probert bludgeon his way to 62 and take Shobdon within easy reach of the victory target before man of the match Clueit was introduced into the attack and removed him. This time Ehrlich made no mistake taking a towering catch compared to the dolly he'd dropped earlier.

Clueit then mopped up the tail to finish with 4-24 and will start next weeks spell on a hat-trick.

Special mention must also go to Michael Jarrett who fielded in place of a sick Tyler and held the match winning catch.