JAMES Yelland took advantage of a good batting track to record his best-ever total.

The 17-year-old carried his bat for a fine 176 in Sapey's 96-run home victory against Clent in a friendly contest.

His knock, which included a flurry of fours, sees him win our cricketer of the week award - a £30 voucher for the Fearnley Factory Shop.

The right-handed batsman, a sixth-former at King's School, had even more reason to be pleased with himself as his previous best effort of the season had been a modest 28.

Yelland said: "I was very pleased. It was quite a quick outfield so you just had to find the gaps and it went for four.

"Hopefully I can take that form forward for the school and Sapey. It would be nice to score another 100.

"It's my second century. I got one for Ombersley Sec-onds last year."

Yelland's efforts helped form an opening-wicket partnership of 270 with skipper Freddie Hughes, who himself went on to score 119.

That built the foundation for Sapey to register 350-5 off 40 overs before Clent's innings closed on 254-5.

Yelland said: "It was a good partnership. I set out to bat the innings and I was concentrating more and I just felt good but I wasn't expecting to get that high a score.

"It wasn't that easy. One of their guys got 150 but he didn't have anyone to bat with."

Captain Hughes added: "Usually we have quite a good game against Clent. I wasn't in good form so wasn't expecting much.

"The bowling was straight and we managed to put on 270 for the first wicket until I got out for 119.

"We lost a couple of other wickets because our batting order wasn't that strong but James carried his bat all the way through.

"It was my maiden century so I was very pleased and it was James's top score so we were ecstatic.

"It was my 18th birthday last Wednesday so it capped off a nice week."

Sapey Cricket Club are not part of the Crusader Worcestershire League with the club playing regular friendly matches against surrounding villages. They have around 12 fixtures planned for this season but, apart from the Clent success, have so far only played one other match, losing at Cleobury Mortimer.