Bromyard v Astwood Bank

A FINE partnership of 155 helped Astwood Bank set 238-8, a total which proved just beyond the reach of Bromyard.

The home side sent the visitors in and picked up quick wickets for 34-3 until the big partnership between Steve Clarke (87) and Paul Boycott (67) did an excellent rebuilding job.

Astwood Bank hit out with relish in the closing overs, boosting the total. Nick Hitchings returned figures of 3-60 and Zahid Saeed finished with 2-53.

Adam Lidiard scored 54 in the early part of the reply and his departure, caught in the deep, made it 90-2 off 23 overs.

The experienced combination of Summers and left-arm seamer Ian Bowes, together with some defensive field placings, pegged Bromyard back.

Edd Oliver mustered 59 and Zahid Saeed (68) but Bromyard, chasing hard, could not achieve 14 off the last over and had to settle for a losing draw on 229-8.

A weakened Bromyard II went down by 204 runs in the return fixture. Batting first, Astwood Bank rattled up 320-6 off their 50 overs.

Mike Reece returned career-best figures of 4-107 off 19 overs, Dave Harris being the only other wicket-taker with 2-76.

In reply, only Kev Williams, with 41 off 52 balls, made any headway as Bromyard collapsed to 116 all-out.

Bromyard III were the only senior side to taste victory over the weekend, chalking up a four-wicket win over Shire Bulls despite being a man short.

Shire Bulls were restricted to 184 all-out off 42 overs, Paul Tomkins taking 6-50.

Norman Whittal's 55 helped see Bromyard home at 185-5 in the 45th over.