West clinch promotion in thriller (From Malvern Gazette)

West clinch promotion in thriller

5:40pm Wednesday 29th August 2007 in Cricket

THE LENCHES v WEST MALVERN

WEST Malvern decided to have first use of the new ball in this top-of-the-table WCL Division Six clash.

Captain Gilbert, knew what he could expect from his front line bowlers, O'Connell and Munn, the pitch quickly exposing itself as one of variable bounce and pace, batting wasn't ever going to be easy. Munn struck first to remove the dangerous D Selvey, who had managed to compile 175 at the corresponding fixture at Mathon Court earlier in the season, for a duck.

P Williams rode his luck, aided and abetted by some poor out-fielding by West with several catches going to ground, to make an aggressive 66.

Change bowlers Dakin and Wright continued where the openers had left off, though slightly less menacing with the ball and it took an exceptional piece of fielding from Munn to run out S Badger (15). Batting was a struggle and wickets were tumbling at regular intervals, B Pleass provided one truly inspirational piece of fielding with a spectacular one-handed catch at slip to remove B Williams (6), Wright then removing C Brookes the next ball for a golden duck.

E Cotterill (39) tried to up the run-rate with some mighty long-handled hitting, and it needed the re-introduction of Munn to remove him. With O'Connell having the tail in his sights the end was nigh for the Lenches, eventually subsiding for a grand total of 173 in the 39th over, extras contributing to healthy 22.

O'Connell proving the more potent and frugal bowler with figures of 12-5-18-2. Although not a huge score, 173 was a target West would have their work cut out to achieve, although the extra over would mean just over three an over was needed to achieve victory.

The West's innings started brightly against some accurate Lenches' bowling with the boundaries coming at regular intervals amidst some watchful defence. Cotterill removing Williams with a shooter that thudded his pads after which wickets and runs came at a thunderous rate, four of the top five West Malvern batsmen falling for single figures scores, with only the usually dour Wright chipping-in with a breezy 89, caught-behind from the bowling of Cotterill. However, the game resumed a more normal course with the arrival at the wicket of the young debutant S Little and Gilbert, the pair putting on a stand of 50 that edged West closer.

Spin duo Selvey and Brookes knew they needed wickets and Selvey removed both batsmen, Little for a stylish 38, and Gilbert dismissed for the first time in the league this season, for 11 at 170-8.

Dakin provided the winning runs with a straight six over the bowlers head, to finish on 7no and O'Connell (2no).

West coming out on top, means promotion to the Division Five and with one game to go, they can still finish as champions, if other results go their way.