Review of Midland Combined Counties League action from the 5th July (9Jul 1997)

DAMIAN D'OLIVEIRA STARS WITH BAT AND BALL: A review of Midland Combined Counties League action from the 5th July.

Former Worcestershire players Damian d'Oliveira and Alex Wylie played starring roles in Droitwich Spa's crushing victory over Old Edwardians in the Midland Combined Counties League. Whilst Wylie bowled a useful opening spell, it was d'Oliveira who proved to be the decisive difference between the two sides.

Droitwich batted first, the innings being anchored by veteran Phil Barrett who batted for 50 overs for 71 not out. The total of 182 for five was made possible by a swift and skilful 52 from Damian d'Oliveira. Old Edwardians' reply started badly Lucas being bowled by Alex Wylie for three. Only Peter Clare (56) was thereafter able to cope with the off-spin of d'Oliveira. From a healthy position at 99 for two, Old Eds collapsed to 116 all out. Thornton, Hockly, Nicholls and Grant were dismissed by d'Oliveira and Woodward whilst five runs were scored, leaving Evans watching at the non-strikers end. D'Oliveira had dominated the game, scoring 52 and taking six for 39 in sixteen overs. Droitwich won by 66 runs.

Elsewhere, South African Jimmy Blair (106 not out) helped Blossomfield to a total of 271 for one against Streetly, who held on for a draw at 227 for nine. Despite bowling Bedworth out for 92, Redditch were unable to press home their advantage being themselves dismissed for 49 (Dennis Oakes 5 for 19; Heath Parnell 5 for 30). Highway stayed at the top of the table after a four wicket victory over bottom-placed Lichfield.

Scores in brief:-

WORCESTER NORTON TAVERNERS, 63, lost to NUNEATON, 65 for three, by seven wickets.

BEDWORTH, 92 (Cooper 4-28), beat REDDITCH, 49 (H Parnell 5-30, D Oakes 5-19), by 43 runs.

DROITWICH SPA, 182 for five (P Barratt 71 not out, DB d'Oliveira 52, D Scott-Walker 32, SB Hockly 3-70) beat OLD EDWARDIANS, 116 (PC Clare 56, CR Cooke 25, d'Oliveira 6-39), by 66 runs.

KENILWORTH WARDENS, 133 (G Broome 7-39), lost to WALMLEY, 173 for nine (M Hyde 69), by 40 runs.

BLOSSOMFIELD, 271 for one (J Blair 106 not out, G Williamson 78, M Bevins 52 not out), drew with STREETLY, 227 for nine.

HIGHWAY, 132 for six (Moin Mumtaz 50) beat LICHFIELD, 128 (S Startup 5-40), by four wickets.

HAMPTON-IN-ARDEN, 152 for nine (Harris 52), beat WATER ORTON, 60 (S Hooper 8-23), by 92 runs.

Latest league table:-

1st. Highway, 166 pts.; 2nd. Bedworth, 164; 3rd. Blossomfield 154; 4th. Kenilworth Wardens 149; 5th. Worcester NT 142; 6th. Redditch 139; 7th. Old Edwardians 139; 8th. Water Orton 136; 9th. Droitwich Spa 132; 10th. Walmley 132; 11th. Nuneaton 128; 12th. Hampton-in-Arden 115; 13th. Streetly 108; 14th.Lichfield 64.

Source: Based upon report and statistics in The Birmingham Post, 7th July 1997