Elmley whipped by top team's run rampage (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Elmley whipped by top team's run rampage

Evesham Casuals 162-2,

Elmley Castle 135-6

EVESHAM put Elmley to the sword when they met at Evesham last Tuesday in what could well be a title decider in the Worcester Cricket Board Indoor League.

With both teams on maximum points after playing three games each, this was always going to be a crunch match and nobody was disappointed.

Charlton and Steed opened for Evesham and from the start put bat very firmly to ball, smashing 42 in only three overs before the prolific Charlton had to retire. But this was only to let skipper Gregory in and he continued the mayhem with a quickfire 25, with Steed sensibly playing accompanist.

When Wheatley brilliantly caught Steed down the leg side, Cross and Jones teamed up to put on a further 50 quick runs. Charlton returned and ended up on 39 not out to see his side to a superb 162-2.

Elmley started at a pace that put Evesham's performance in the shade and when Cooper and Woodford took the score to 59 off only four overs, Evesham were concerned.

It took the guile of Eddy Charlton to slow things down and when Cooper retired Evesham realised that in this cricket it is the fielding that counts and together with sensible line and length, runs suddenly dried up.

In trying to keep the score moving, Elmley found that they could not get the ball to the wall and soon lost two quick wickets to some superb fielding. Webb and Wheatley added some impetus but they too perished to some excellent throws.

With two overs left and only 118 runs on the board, it was left to Cooper to return to attempt the impossible but despite reaching his 50 he was also run out to give Evesham the match and a full hand of run-outs.

St Benedicts 131-4,

Ashton-under-Hill 132-2

WITH both teams looking for their first win of the season, Ashton were lacking the big names that have given them success in past years.

St Bees batted first with Powell and Shepherd putting on 43 at a comfortable 10 an over before losing Shepherd. Taylor soon followed but Sara and Gardner put on another 40 runs when a complete mix-up saw both batsmen at the same end.

Green, who had been demoted from his usual position as opener, then appeared and put on 25 runs before Sara was adjudged leg before. Powell came back to put on 35 off the last two overs, ending on a very creditable 131-4.

Ashton openers Turner and David Haines were in no mood to stand on ceremony and went along quite comfortably at eleven an over both retiring with the score on 60. Shepherd continued the progress but suddenly St. Benedict's were back in the game when first Jim Haines and then Banks were run out to leave Ashton requiring 32 off the last three overs.

With Powell bowling at speed, batting was not easy but he did not get the support he need from the other end and Shepherd and Keen saw Ashton home with three balls to spare.