LOCAL bragging rights went to Berkswell on Saturday after their convincing ten-wicket victory over Knowle & Dorridge moved them back to the top of the Birmingham Premier League.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, K&D skipper Sam Reddish saw his openers Dominic Harding and Alex Phillips put together an opening stand of 46 in the first ten overs.
However, the introduction of Grant Thornton into the Berkswell bowling attack had a dramatic effect as he picked up the wickets of Phillips (24), caught behind by Liam Gately and Beau Webster (0), caught and bowled four balls later.
With the ever dependable David Brignull having Harding (18) brilliantly caught at slip by Dominic Ostler in the 14th over, and Thornton then claiming the wicket of Reddish (2) caught by Nick James at mid-wicket, the visitors to Meeting House Lane had slumped to 56 for 4 by the 15th over.
Nathan Roberts and Chris Kenny halted the loss of wickets with a partnership of 43 in ten overs before Roberts (32) was adjudged lbw off the bowling of Darren Maddy.
When Jack Grundy (3) was caught behind and Ben Brookes (0) was caught, both off the bowling of left arm spinner James, seven wickets had fallen for only 110 runs.
Maddy was soon amongst the wickets again with Kenny (15) also giving a catch to Gately behind the stumps, and James then picked up his third wicket bowling Henry Brookes (0) with a quicker ball that reduced K&D to 115 for 9 in only the 35th over.
The reintroduction of Gert Cloete soon paid dividends as he bowled last man Will Mottram (2) in the 39th over and the visitor’s innings came to a close with the total on 127. Thornton and James both finished with figures of 3 for 18, and Maddy ended with 2 for 24.
In reply Berkswell’s openers Maddy and Mark Best quickly made their intentions known with both batsmen putting bat to ball with ease.
With runs coming at a pace the winning total was reached in the 19th over with Maddy 63 not out, and Best 65 not out.
A beaming Dominic Ostler said: “All victories taste sweet, but some taste sweeter than others.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve had a league win over our friends at K&D so this result means a lot to everyone involved with Berkswell cricket club.
“I’m delighted with the way the whole team responded to the challenge of the match and stayed focussed throughout.”
Berkswell’s next league match is away at Walmley on Saturday, while K&D host Kidderminster.
