Old Elizabethans 3rd 121 Cleobury Mortimer 121-4

A HALF-century from in-form Ben Griffiths propelled Cleobury Mortimer to their fourth win in Division 4 of the Worcestershire County League after their bowlers had put them in a strong position.

Cleobury opted to bowl when they won the toss and two early wickets from Dave Shorter plus a run out left the bottom side struggling at 22-3.

Adam Bolton (33) and Nick McPherson (32) turned things around for a while but once they were dismissed the score quickly dipped from 87-4 to 121 all out.

Dave Shorter finished with 5-26 from 12 overs and Grant Carbines 3-25 off 15.1.

Craig Shorter went first ball in the Cleobury innings, but it was only a temporary blip. Ben Griffiths joined Russell Tovey (26) and the pair came within one run of a century partnership.

With the winning line in sight Griffiths was dismissed for 70 but Manley (16) and, fittingly, Dave Shorter completed the win in the 25th over.

􀁥 Cleobury Mortimer 2nd made it a double celebration when they chased down Old Elizabethans 4th’s total of 211-7 at Neel Park.

They completed a three-wicket win with seven balls to spare.

OE’s opener Richard Price (72) received sound support from his partners and, with Cleobury conceding 35 extras, they looked to be in a strong position at halfway.

Dave Leach (4-30 off 10 overs) was the successful bowler.

Nick Jones (27), Leach (40), Luke Woodhouse 32, Ed Kemp (33) and Alex Howman (44) paced the run-chase to perfection 􀁥 Knighton-on-Teme went down by four wickets at Newnham in Division 7.

They were bowled out for 157 off the final ball of their innings and, after an early scare, Coombs Wood eased themselves home thanks to a match-winning partnership for the sixth wicket.

Tim Gasch (36), Matthew James (20), Adam Grosvenor (25) and Tony Batt (19) gave Knighton a good start, but the second half collapsed.

It was the reverse story with the ball, James (3-12) and Dan Pullen (2-34) handing their side the initiative before Andy Price (86 no) and Nigel Cannon (41) grabbed it back.