Report submitted by Sarah Cousin

AFTER ending their losing streak the week before against Bromsgrove, Kidderminster’s Birmingham League 2nd XI were keen to maintain this new momentum against Old Elizabethans on Saturday and started perfectly by winning the toss and deciding to bat first.

Charlie Stainforth and Sam Beadsworth started well, in particular Stainforth who raced to 48 but was caught after the first change in bowling, ending a 78-run partnership for the opening wicket.

Then came Gomez Vincent (14) Michael Mitchell (15) and Joe Miszkowski (13), who all looked confident but failed to capitalise on their starts, however, Beadsworth remained at the crease looking confident.

He was then joined by Godfrey Lamb who began to hit the Old Elizabethans’ attack to all parts. It was in this partnership that Beadsworth brought up his century but was out shortly afterwards for 102. He was followed back to the pavilion before long by Godfrey Lamb for 44.

The innings was concluded by Paul Edwards and Ryan Field with 6 and 8 not out respectively, ending the innings on 269 for 6 off 50 overs.

Kidderminster’s bowling performance was excellent. It was set up by opening bowlers Michael Mitchell and Andy Logan, who took three wickets each and removed all chance of an Old Elizabethan’s win almost immediately.

The final four wickets were taken very quickly by some excellent bowling with Gomez Vincent taking two and Josh Tidmarsh and Stainforth picking up one each.

Old Elizabethans could only manage to struggle to 71 all out and were outplayed by Kidderminster.

KCC’s Third XI lost to Halesowen at home after the visitors posted 297-8 off their 50 overs.

George Davis was the pick of the bowlers with figure of 2-37 off 10 overs, while Mike Kirby-Davies, Rob Connor, Phil Pountney, Liam Wills and Simon Clarke all picked up a wicket apiece.

In reply, Kidderminster struggled losing captain James Williams quickly before fellow opener Simon Clarke was run out for the third week running.

Aaron Dickens offered some fight but was eventually out for 34, and after that wickets fell regularly until Liam Wills showed resilience scoring a powerful 50 and Adam Davis frustrated Halesowen bowlers to score a career best 40.

Kidderminster managed to score just 210 in reply to Halesowen.

Away at Himley, Kidderminster’s Fourth XI suffered a defeat in a close game which was won in the last over.

Kidderminster batted first but lost wickets regularly, although young opener Matt Hatfield continued his good season by outscoring all his teammates with a fantastic 124 not out, with just fellow Rhodri Morson (24) also scoring above 20, the innings ending on 229-7.

Himley’s batting started well with the openers scoring 60 and 46, however, after this start Kidderminster got back into the game well thanks to Aaron Dalton’s three wickets and some good fielding caused three run outs.

Unfortunately, Kidderminster couldn’t take the final wicket and Himley won by one wicket in the last over, finishing on 230-9.

Kidderminster’s Sunday League team tasted success against Droitwich Spa in a 16-run win, after a shaky start for KCC saw Matt Hatfield dismissed first ball.

However, fellow opener Sam Beadsworth continued his weekend’s good form and scored 106, supported by Elliot Small (34 not out), Joe Miszkowski (21) and Rhodri Morson (21), taking their total to 238-8 off 40 overs.

Droitwich began their innings well and it wasn’t until the 11th over when the first wicket was taken.

After that wickets fell at regular intervals with Sam Beadsworth taking four for 43 off eight overs and Dylan Griffiths starring with three for 30 off 6.1 overs, excellent fielding created three run outs and restricted Droitwich to 222, securing Kidderminster’s victory.