Saved by the rain! (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Saved by the rain!

RAIN was welcomed in the Pershore camp last Saturday after the visiting side's bow-lers had been given a real mauling.

Bromyard openers Ashley Bullock and Ollie Bailey added 164 after Stephen Coo-per had asked the hosts to bat.

A couple of dropped catches hindered Pershore's attempts to get among the wickets but, when they did, Saeed joined Bailey and the second wicket pair added a further 148.

Bailey plundered a new league record score of 188 with his last 69 runs being scored off just 27 balls!

Bromyard's innings was reduced to 47 overs but they still amassed a daunting 321-2.

It was a total that Pershore fancied overhauling on the small ground but, just two deliveries in, heavy rain forced the players off the field and they were never to return.

A similar teatime downpour ended Dumbleton's hopes of victory against Redmarley who had been given a tough task to score 234 for victory.

Dumbleton batted excellently on a tricky track after losing skipper Rob Churchman in the second over.

Mike Gibson and Tom Hatcher added 85 for the second wicket but a flurry of wickets left the batting side at 103-5 before Tom Green and Gareth Reid staged a recovery with a stand of 77.

Green was left unbeaten at the close with a fabulous 82 runs against his name in his side's 45-over score of 233-7 but Redmarley were denied the chance to set off in pursuit of their target.

The second team suffered similar fate against Glos City/Winget who were restri-cted to 170-7.

Mark Elliot (3-44) and Ian McHardie-Jones (3-36) were the pick of the bowlers before rain brought a premature end.

Only one innings was completed at Ballards Park where hosts Badsey totalled 227-9 in their County League clash with Cleobury Mortimer.

David Powell (57no) and Sam Thomson (46) had earlier rescued the home side who had slumped to 73-4 after 17 overs.

The weather also caused the abandonment of Sunday's Clubs League matches at Evesham and Pershore, while the Avon Street club's second string were awarded their match at Bewdley.

Bretforton's players did make it to the wicket and their total of 162 proved 52 too many for visitors Swindon.

Paul Jones top scored with 62 , while Alec Evans (4-8) and Bruce Ford (3-18) were the best with the ball.