Berkswell miss out on Birmingham Premier Division title - The Solihull Observer

Berkswell miss out on Birmingham Premier Division title

Solihull Editorial 8th Sep, 2015 Updated: 21st Oct, 2016   0

BERKSWELL recorded a 28-run victory at home to Kidderminster Victoria in their penultimate game of the 2015 season but a win for Shrewsbury means the Birmingham Premier Division league title will not be coming to Meeting House Lane this year.

Invited to bat first, Berkswell managed to post an encouraging 253 for eight from their 50 overs with solid contributions from Mark Best (51) and ex-Warwickshire captain Darren Maddy (87), with the pair adding 125 in partnership for the first wicket.

Chris Whittock (19), Nick James (24), Steven Sandhu (13) and Chris Cheslin (15 not out) were the other main contributors, while for the visitors club stalwart Jonathan Wright was the pick of their bowlers returning 3 for 45 from ten overs.

In reply Kidderminster found themselves under pressure from Berkswell’s opening bowlers, Dave Brignull and Cheslin lost their first wicket in the sixth over when Cheslin trapped Andrew Kimberlin (5) lbw – with the scoreboard showing 14.




Nathan Round and Matt Pardoe had advanced the score to 42 by the 13th over when Pardoe (14) flashed at a ball from Brignull and turned to watch Dominic Ostler hold a spectacular catch high above his head.

Round and Neil Pinner then moved the score on to 127 but Pinner (54) was bowled by Mohammed Ahmed and when Round (55) was bowled by Brignull in the 31st over, the visitors were still 118 runs short with 19 overs left.


Michael Hill (38) was mainly responsible for pushing the total to 183, but the loss of his wicket was quickly followed by the collapse of the Kidderminster middle order to leave them on 198 for 9.

A quick fire 27 not out, off only 11 balls, from Wright threatened to get the visitors to the required target, but last man Michael Mitchell (0) was unable to provide the necessary support and the innings closed 28 runs short of the host’s total.

“It is disappointing not to be able to claim the title this season as we have played good cricket and only lost three games, the lowest in the league, but two were against the  bottom sides,” said a frustrated Dominic Ostler.

“Had we won those two games the title would already be ours.  However, the runners-up trophy is still to play for and we will be doing all we can to ensure we win at Kenilworth Wardens on Saturday to claim that.”

Berkswell conclude their season away at Kenilworth Wardens on Saturday.

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