FIRST TEAMS

ANDY Platt took five wickets as Stourport surged to second place and made up ground on Division Three North table-toppers Oldswinford with a well-earned victory at Feckenham.

After putting the hosts into bat, Stourport saw the game reduced to 38 overs per side after the rain set in for a couple of hours early on. When play resumed Platt claimed 5-47 to restrict Feckenham to 138-8.

In reply, Stourport batted confidently to reach 139-4 in the 27th over to record a comfortable win with Ian Delo top scoring with 61 not out.

The Walshes Meadow men were given a helping hand by Cookley who halted Oldwinsford's march towards the Division Three North title with a winning draw against the unbeaten league leaders.

At Lea Lane, Cookley piled up an impressive 206-4, in between rain interruptions which reduced the match to 47 overs per side. Adam Nicholls made an unbeaten 86, and South African Grant Snowball added 62.

Oldswinford's hopes of victory were hit by more rain which reduced their innings to 32 overs and good bowling and fielding from the hosts.

Gary Mills (4-47) was Cookley's best bowler, while Dave Barton took three catches, but Oldswinford made it to 134-9 to hold on for a losing draw.

Bewdley made do with just six points from their abandoned Division One clash at Barnards Green as the hosts' storming start and the wet weather dampened their spirits. By the first drinks break, both Barnards Green openers had been dropped and the home side were coasting at 105-0 after being asked to bat.

Former Barnards Green bowler Jono Boult launched a recovery with the first wicket, while Jack Mills took the next three.

After a couple of rain interuptions the weather stopped proceedings for good with Barnards Green at 238-4.

Chaddesley Corbett teenager Daniel Baylis's maiden half century was not enough to prevent a six-wicket defeat against The Lenches in Division Seven.

The 15-year-old Stourport High pupil made 71 not out as Chaddesley were all out for 237, with The Lenches knocking the runs off for the loss of four wickets.

SECOND TEAMS

Cookley struggled to adapt to the rain-affected conditions as they slipped to an 80-run defeat at Oldswinford in Division Three North.

Despite restricting the home side to 178-4, the Lea Lane men collapsed to just 98 all out.

Stourport's hopes of closing in on Division Three North leaders Pedmore were hampered by the rain against Feckenham at Walshes Meadow.

After putting their visitors into bat, Stourport's average bowling allowed Feckenham to rattle up 172-3 in the 32nd over before the heavens opened.

The match was subsequently reduced to 38 overs per side with Feckenham setting a total of 210-7 after three wickets fell to Kev Haycock.

In reply, Stourport were on 33-1 after eight overs when the rain returned and the game was called off.

Feckenham went home with nine points while Stourport's finished with eight.

EBC were the winners of last Sunday's annual Stourport 6-a-side competition which attracted 10 teams.

Bewdley only got to bat one over in their abandoned Division One match with Barnards Green after bowling their opponents out for 229.

But the eventful over did include a dropped catch, three wides, a boundary and a wicket as the rain halted second-placed Bewdley at 7-1.

Mark Hudson was the pick of Bewdley's bowlers with 4-75 as both sides finished with nine points.

Meanwhile, Stourport have officially opened their new artificial wicket and practice nets after stumping up £18,500 for the facilities at Walshes Meadow.

Worcestershire's Ben Smith is pictured (left) cutting the ribbon with president Clive Hutton at last weekend's opening ceremony and (above) trying out the nets for himself.

Former county player Stuart Lampitt was also on hand at the launch.

Money for the facility has been provided by a Network Community grant, National Lottery awards for all funding, the Red Marley Hill Climb, Kidderminster Lions, the Rotary Club and the Monday Night Group. A quarter of the cash was raised by club coaches and members.

The new wicket and nets will be used to coach the thriving junior section which has risen from 30 to 100 members in two years, while a newly-formed ladies team will also benefit from the facilities.