Starting with the early morning news that the Wyeside ground was sodden and that the 4th XI match was cancelled, the rest of the day was held hostage to heavy showers sweeping across the Worcestershire League landscape.

Away at Halesowen, this was never going to be an easy one for the 1sts, with their opponents sitting second top of the division. Electing to field, they found wickets hard to take, but kept the score down to around three per over for much of the Halesowen innings. A total of 236 should have been well within sight, and a controlled, unbeaten innings of 69 from Saminda, supported by 46 from Ethan Lerego, made up for other early Bartestree wickets. But rain and a consequent reduction in available overs left the match as a losing draw.

At home to Garnons, the 2nd XI bowling was flayed by some experienced batters, with 156 for one old hand. Flurries of rain again interrupted play, and the complicated maths left the 2nds facing a revised target of 298. Captain Simon and veteran Robbo set about their business undaunted, easily keeping up with the run rate with some cracking boundaries, but when they fell the rate slowed, and the target became unreachable. Overall a very encouraging performance with the bat by the 2nds.

The 3rds play this afternoon, 1pm start, against the team which beat them last week, the hard-hitting Amigos Kempsey. A win this afternoon would put our 3rds at the top of the Division again. No pressure.

Please scroll on down to the Junior match reports and photos - wins at Wormelow for the Under 13s and at Brockhampton for the Under 11s kept our vibrant juniors happy. It is fantastic to see the pleasure that these youngsters get from the game, and all credit to our brilliant coaches for creating the right environment in which they can thrive.

Last but definitely not least! Another success on the field last Sunday for our outstanding Women's softball team - at the Brockhampton festival they easily defeated Eastnor. Once again, the supportive, fun atmosphere around this team is the key to their success and their pleasure in the game.