B&LCC 1st XI:
135 all out off 36.5 overs
Sam Pratley 41 no, Ben Simpkin 24
With struggling availability this week, a first team line-up with five changes from last week's washout at Netherton turned up at a sprightly 11am meet time (ludicrously early for a uni student!!!) to play on something that had become quite a rarity in recent weeks - a green outfield.

With the toss won, we took to the field with hopes of repeating the already infamous beer festival win of the reverse fixture a few months back. Their openers toiled against the opening pairing of Ethan and Chrissy, with the majority of runs flying between me and Lee in the gully-point region as they struggled to find their rhythm. Eventually their number 2 decided to middle a few but didn't take long to miscue one straight in the air for a simple Sam Pratley catch. Instead of applying pressure to the new batsman, seamer Saminda decided to bowl 8 wides in one over, before changing back to his preferred spin to put the squeeze on with Ryan. This spell did wonders for us, with Droitwich only flowing at 4 an over by drinks, firmly putting us in the ascendency.

The trouble was the wicket column, and that would come back to bite as they started playing more expansive shots. Their three would eventually be cleaned up by Ryan, but this brought their main threat to the crease as their number four seemed to flick balls over cow into the next field over with ease, making a quick 83 n/o with a ridiculous 180 strike rate. Without much support at the other end, albeit their opener managed to sneak to 84 before being caught by the debutant Pratley, they were able to cruise at 10s and before long a 200 score had become a 300 score.

Having nearly chased 300 at Colwall a few weeks ago, there was still optimism. A quick burst from Saminda would stick us right in the mix. This didn't quite go as planned - Sammy was trapped in front for a bagel. Another positive start from Ryan was halted when he was also out leg before, and suddenly even 100 looked tough with our best two batsmen back in the shed. Nick played his role well keeping the openers quiet and Ben was his usual self flicking some gorgeous fours down the ground. After Nick fell, Lee played a rare loose shot to short mid wicket and Chrissy holed out to mid-on. I was met with bodyline tactics from their seamer (he’d clearly been given some intel into my last two dismissals) and managed to swat one away for 6 before the spinner realised he could just bowl at the stumps and I would play all around it.

With seven wickets gone and still short of 100, it took some resilience from Ethan and Sam to push us up past the first batting point. Sam in particular looked the most composed batsman of the day as he stroked his way into the 40’s. With Ethan bowled by the biggest turner of the day, Pratley Jr strolled out to join Pratley Sr in the middle. Some stunning drives from both Pratleys gave hopes of a second batting point but we would finally be wrapped up 15 runs short and a comprehensive 169 short of their total.

With Hagley losing heavily at Brockhampton, our survival does come down to the final day. However, only a win at home to local rivals Burghill will be enough. The stage is set.

Ryan Clements