Cookley’s championship hopes hurt by bad weather

7:00pm Wednesday 16th July 2008

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COOKLEY CC's title hopes in the Worcestershire Crusader League Division Three were hit as their match against Birlingham was abandoned on Saturday.

The set-back means that Cookley slipped to 15 points behind second-placed Harborne, who defeated Kidderminster Victoria.

After inserting the hosts to bat, Birlingham started well in difficult conditions and piled up 272-4 from their 50 overs, with Andy Parker claiming 3-65 for the Lea Lane men.

The rain called a halt to day’s play though after just 2.4 overs of Cookley’s reply and they were left stranded on 8-0.

The first team then went down by 109 runs at the hands of Netherton in the Border Sunday League Division Two.

Having won the toss and opting to bat first, Netherton made 204-8 from their 40 overs, despite the inspired bowling of Mark Hadley (5-38), who pegged them back along with some excellent fielding from Cookley.

The visitors couldn’t match their high standards in the run chase though, and were dismissed for 95 with Will Morgan (19) top-scoring.

Cookley’s second team slipped to an 81-run defeat against Amblecote and Wollaston in Division Three.

Amblecote made 146-6 from their 40 overs, as youngster Alex Ray claimed 2-22 with the ball.

It was a disappointing run chase for the hosts and they were dismissed for only 65, Richard Childs top-scoring with 17.