Floodlit Night One:
On Night Two at Stourbridge Road it was the tournaments’ new boys that were the disruptors to last season’s competitors with Fordhouses and Pelsall opening their Floodlit accounts at the first time of asking.
Jem Stack’s side arrived on the first evening in emphatic form, having sat at the top of the South Staffordshire Premier Division for most of the season. They took on leaders of the Shropshire Premier League, Quatt in the opening game.
Quatt won the toss, elected to bat and were up against a strong effort from the Fordhouses bowling attack from the outset, finding themselves 48-3 after the first powerplay. Kuldeep Diwan and Daniel Plank built a solid partnership in reply. finding and clearing the fence with ease, carrying Jed Edwards side to 116-4 when Diwan fell to the bowling of Lewis Peat for 42. His partner soon followed for 44 off the bowling of Peat as Quatt crawled to 167-8 after their 100 balls.
Fordhouses had the bat of Niall Cooper to thank from the outset of the innings. His 55 minute stint was etched with class, striking 7 fours and 4 sixes on the way to a score of 74 from 44 deliveries. Kuldeep Diwan mercifully removed the opener to keep Quatt in with a chance as wickets fell. Jack Pope then arrived at the crease in a bid to continue Fordhouses’s push to the total, his score of 45 from 25 deliveries vital in getting the side from WV10, over the line.
Chance at retribution is imminent for Quatt as they face Himley tonight in the 8pm game, with Fordhouses taking on the hosts on Wednesday evening.
The prime time game at Stourbridge Road brought the Champions, Wombourne, back to the ground where they achieved floodlit glory one year ago. Facing them was a Pelsall side experiencing their first taste of Floodlit action.
It was the new boys that would take the batting reigns first up. Bulpitt making 22 having lost his opening partner Ahsan Akbar early on. Peter Stevens soon followed, bringing the partnership of Smit Metha and Raul Ram to the crease, creating a partnership of 40. Pelsall climbed to 86-4 when Ram fell, and were 101-5 when Jack Portsmouth became Ollie Siviter’s third victim of the evening. The combination of Siviter and Captain Zac Smith squeezed the visitors to 129-8 from their 100 balls. A total considerably under par.
Chad Brandrick and Ben Hudson opened the second innings and soon enough the champions were on rough terrain. Ben Hudson was caught and bowled by Bulpitt without scoring as was his captain for a Golden Duck. Jimmy Howell came to the crease and soon breathed life into the Wombourne innings making an unbeaten 46 from 44 deliveries, becoming the anchor the holders needed. Brandrick fell for 28, and Wombourne’s chances dipped briefly, before Ollie Siviter’s lusty blow towards the end bought together a tied game.
Pelsall edged the first ever super 5 in floodlit history from their final delivery, they face Beacon tonight at 5:45. Meanwhile the Champions will be wanting more from their second game with Beacon on Wednesday Night if they have any hope of retaining.