Scorecard



Result Harborne won by 63 runs (45 overs)


Harborne Innings
J Moreton       Run Out                           36
S Gear          Bowled            Franklin        63
P Stevens       Not Out                           93
S Moreton       Ct Southall       Shermer          1
S Payne         Ct Young          Franklin        14
J Dyer          Not Out                            3
M Thompson      Did not bat                         
O Masood        Did not bat                         
A Owen          Did not bat
E Simms         Did not bat
A Lyttle        Did not bat

Extras          (B 2, LB 9, NB 6, W 5)            22
 
Total           (for 4 wkts)                     232


FOW:  1-84, 2-142, 3-143, 4-189


Bowling                 O    M    R    W

J Turner                9    0   25    0
T Connelly              9    4   14    0
M Young                 9    0   45    0
A Reynolds              7    0   48    0
G Franklin              6    0   54    2
A Shermer               5    0   35    1


Wolverhampton Innings
D Lampitt       Ct Moreton J      Lyttle          35
N Southall      Bowled            Simms           19
A Shermer       Bowled            Lyttle           7
G Franklin      Ct Simms          Thompson        11
G Kohli         LBW               Thompson        10
B Maddox        Run Out                           17
A Mackelworth   Ct & Bowled       Simms           29
A Reynolds      Not Out                           16
T Connelly      Ct & Bowled       Moreton S        2
J Turner        Bowled            Thompson         3
M Young         LBW               Thompson         0

Extras          (B 3, LB 5, NB 7, W 5)            20
 
Total           (for 10 wkts)                    169


FOW:  1-48, 2-68, 3-73, 4-85, 5-99, 6-142, 7-149, 8-163, 9-169, 10-169


Bowling                 O    M    R    W

O Masood                7    1   34    0
A Lyttle                9    1   30    2
E Simms                 8    2   17    2
M Thompson              7    2   17    4
A Owen                  5    0   38    0
S Moreton               5    0   25    1

On a surprisingly sunny and warm day in Wolverhampton, Harborne captain Errol Simms lost the toss, yet still got what he wanted when Wolverhapton skipper, Gavin Franklin asked Harborne to bat first. Simon Gear and James Moreton strode purposefully to the wicket and were frustrated by the nagging line and length shown by the Wolverhampton opening bowlers, Turner and Connelly. These two each bowled their allotted 9 overs unchanged to put pressure on the Harborne opening batters who found runs hard to come by, scoring at just over 2 an over. Importantly, neither batsman was looking uncomfortable and when the first change bowlers came on, both looked to up the rate and put pressure on the new bowlers. Gear hitting a lovely straight drive for six, and Moreton also choosing the aerial root to hit straight over the top to reach the long boundaries. The first wicket to fall was that of J. Moreton, in a run-out mix up - with Moreton foolishly thinking that Gear could run 20 yards in the time that it takes to say 'No'.

This mishap brought Peter Stevens to the crease, with the score in the eighties and over 25 overs already gone. Pete made it look easy to pick up ones and twos from the start, keeping the score ticking and he was soon into double figures. Simon Gear, meanwhile was looking to accelerate the scoring rate further and was presented with the perfect opportunity to show-off his much practiced winter nets shot, the slog-sweep, when Franklin came on to bowl his off-spin. Gear not so much sweeped as slogged Franklin for a six over mid-wicket, only to try the same slog shot to the very next delivery, which was too full and knocked the bails off as Gear headed for the pavilion, out for a very patient and well worked 64. Stevens went on to get 93 not out off only 64 balls, with a fine display of cultured hitting, and with the two left handers Payne and Dyer working the ball around Harborne finished on a very impressive 232 for 4 off 45 overs.

Wolverhampton in reply started off well, with Lampitt punishing any loose bowling and taking advantage of the attacking field set by Simms. 50 for 0 off 8 overs was not quite what Harborne wanted, however, Lyttle struck with his 'deceptively slow short ball with extra back spin' to deceive Lampitt into top edging a pull in to the covers and followed that up with the top spinner that Shermer bottom edged onto his stumps. Lyttle bowled unchanged to finish with good figures of 2 for 30. Thompson and Simms then looked to put some pressure on the Wolves batsmen by making runs hard to come by. Simms bowled opener Southall, and Thompson struck twice to remove Franklin and Kholi to leave Wolves up against it. A good partnership between Mackelworth and Maddox briefly threatened which was ended by Maddox foolishly taking on the pace and arm of Thompson to leave him a good yard short. Thompson was brought back into the attack shortly after to 'mop up the tail' and finish with tidy figures of 4 for 17.

All in all a good Harborne performance all round, with everybody contributing and enjoying the winning feeling.

Quotes