Premier League: Potter cautious after Cannock's first win (6 May 1999)

6 May 1999

Premier League: Potter cautious after Cannock's first win

Mike Berry

Cautious optimism was the reaction of Laurie Potter after Cannock made a winning start to life in the Birmingham and District Premier League. Newly-promoted Cannock overcame Stourbridge by six wickets, but Potter, their captain, said: "While it's great to start with a win, it's only one game."

Two of Cannock's new signings enjoyed fruitful debuts as Stourbridge were bowled out for 86. Spinner Guy Bulpitt bowled 19 miserly overs for figures of two for 26 while Paul Thomas, the former Worcestershire paceman, took four for 25. Potter chipped in with three for 13 and 48 not out.

Walsall made short shrift of Barnt Green, the 1997 champions. Chris Boroughs, captured from Stourbridge, scored 140 and Oxfordshire's Keith Arnold plundered seven for 34 as Walsall won by 175 runs.

The launch of the new East Anglian Premier League saw Swardeston make a dream start with a nine-wicket hammering of Bury St Edmunds. Bury folded for 90, Chris Read returning five for 16 off 10 overs.

Norwich - formed by the merger of Ingham and Norwich Barleycorns - defeated Godmanchester by eight wickets, but Adam Seymour's 147 failed to yield victory for Clacton in their draw with Cambridge St Giles.

The best individual performance of the day in The Northamptonshire Championship came from Stephen Jarvis, a 16-year-old seamer who pocketed six for 10 in Horton House's win over Bedford. Tim Coleman's 120 not out piloted newly-promoted Finedon to an 84-run triumph over Old Wellingburians.

Barton failed to capitalise on Andy Pugh's 111 in the Devon Senior League against Bovey Tracey, who won by seven wickets. Champions Exmouth opened with a victory at Seaton while all five West

Of England Club Championship games produced victories following the previous week's wholesale washout. Bath's 101-run win over Weston-super-Mare was the pick.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)