BROMSGROVE skipper Mark Evenson is calling on his middle order batsmen to build partnerships prior to this weekend’s Birmingham League Division One encounter at mid-table Shifnal.
The Boars travel to Shropshire on Saturday hoping to make it three wins out of three and maintain their position at the top of the table.
Evenson’s side go into the clash on the back of Saturday’s 13-run victory at Tamworth where the Boars recovered from a middle order collapse to battle back from 188-9 to reach 232 all out from their allocated 50 overs.
After openers Jayden Levitt (92) and Ashley Newfield (39) departed, it was left to Jack Taylor (50) to salvage the innings as he went on to reach his half century as those around him struggled to hit double figures.
Tamworth were always with the pace as they chased down 233 for victory but Newfield (2-21) and Evenson (1-24) bowled frugal spells to clip their wings.
Alexei Kervezee (4-51) took crucial wickets as the visitors eventually fell 13 runs short.
“We put ourselves into a precarious position as we pressed the self-destruct button after a fantastic start by Jayden and Ashley,” said Boars skipper Evenson.
“Tamworth brought in their spinners which changed the game but Jack has hung around and played a brilliant, match-winning knock.
“If we had been bowled out for around 180 we would have lost that game.
“We just need to eradicate the batting wobbles and making sure partnerships are built instead of trying to bat our way out of trouble.
“I’m putting a call out to our middle order batsmen to have some more solidity and sit tight like Jack did.”
Alex Wilkinson is to return to the bowling attack this weekend while Ben Johnson misses out.
LEWIS CORDES and Tom Green both hit half centuries as Bromsgrove Seconds secured an emphatic 118-run victory over Tamworth in Birmingham League Division One Second XI.
The Boars were grateful for the 45 wide balls which Tamworth threw their way while Cordes (65) and Green (50) helped the hosts reach 209-8 from their allotted 45 overs.
In reply the visitors were skittled out for just 91 as James Ganderton took three wickets for ten runs in a nine over spell while Mikey Wyres (24) and Tom Russel (2-16) also contributed.
Bromsgrove Thirds tasted a second successive defeat in Worcestershire County League Division Four against a strong Tenbury Wells outfit.
The Boars limped to 178 all out thanks mainly to Sam Johnson who scored 45 from 41 deliveries as Wells’ Aaron Morris did the damage with the ball, taking five scalps for 58 runs from his 16 overs.
And the hosts needed just 30 overs to reach their target of 179 for the loss of just two wickets.
Elsewhere, Josh Searle and Rob Law took five wickets each as the Fourths dismissed Oldswinford & Stourbridge Social Seconds out for just 67 in Division Four Second XI.
Searle conceded just 33 runs from his 12 over spell while Law was hit for just 25 from his 12.4 overs as OSSS were back in the pavilion by the midway point.
Bromsgrove’s Paul Hutchins (26) and Matt Stratford (18) needed just 18 overs to reach the target and secure a nine-wicket victory which moved them out of the bottom two and into ninth.
