Swift guides veterans home safely (From Worcester News)

Swift guides veterans home safely

7:20pm Sunday 5th July 2009 in

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WORCESTERSHIRE 60 Plus recorded a four-wicket win at Cheshire in the Spitfire National Championship.

In the match at Irby CC, home captain Andy Hurworth won the toss and chose to bat.

Openers Nick Sharp and Ian Brown scored 19 off the first five overs but Worcestershire’s Trevor Knowles and Tony Neel slowed them down.

Knowles took a stunning caught and bowled to dismiss danger-man Nick Sharp for 18.

Cheshire’s second wicket fell with Brown lbw for 20 to Knowles, who finished his nine overs with 2-18.

The bowling remained tight as Cliff Rawlings (3-36) replaced Neel (1-51) to maintain the pressure.

Captain Andy Hurworth fell cheaply to a catch by Bob Rogers off Rawlings with the score at 64-3 in the 20th over.

John Wylde and Tony Waddington produced an excellent partnership of 135 runs before the latter was bowled by Neel for 114.

Wylde continued to dominate, reaching his 50 off 54 balls faced.

Alan Hitchmough (19) and Chris Lees (10) were the only other significant contributors as Cheshire concluded their 45 overs on 251-8. Martin Mudway claimed 2-57.

After a rain break, the reduced target for Worcestershire was a daunting 207 runs off 37 overs.

Openers Keith Middleton (19) and Tom Whittingham set the tone, reaching 41, but then Chris Taylor was quickly run out.

The scoring rate required was kept up until Whittingham departed after reaching his 50.

John Swift continued his excellent form and, with Knowles, took the score to 141-4.

Knowles fell to Hitchmough for 38 and Worcestershire got on top with Swift hitting hefty blows.

Brookes was dismissed on 29 with the team score at 189-6 and then Rogers was swifly run out.

However, Martin Woodward and Swift (47 not out) calmed the situation and led the visitors to victory with 11 balls left.