Cricket
Depleted Studley put to the sword

STUDLEY failed to ease their Birmingham League Division Three relegation fears after slipping to a disappointing 57 run defeat at promotion-chasing Penkridge on Saturday.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bowl which proved a wise decision as Te Ahu Davis produced a hostile opening spell which was rewarded with four wickets.

It reduced Penkridge to 34 for 4 but the visitors suffered a blow when wicketkeeper Simon Stamenkovic picked up an injury which meant he would play no further part in the game.

Penkridge took full advantage as Rana Hassan (53) and skipper Paul Szewczyk (67) effected a recovery by sharing a century partnership for the fifth wicket.

Shafiq Ahmed (24) added some vital runs while the final total of 199 was boosted by 28 extras. Davis proved the most successful bowler by returning 5-50, while Andrew Rhodes 2-43 and John Swanick 2-14 offered good support.

Depleted Studley lost an early wicket but Chris Moss (19) and Brandon Miller (54) lifted the reply to 64 for 1 when the former departed.

Wickets continued to fall at regualr intervals and the reply terminated on 142 in the 41st over despite the efforts of Mark Swanick (17) and Davis (30). Laeq Chishti 3-30, Shafiq Ahmed 3-44 and Mo Hassan 2-14 shone with the ball for Penkridge who returned to the top of the table as a result of the victory.

Studley entertain fellow strugglers Lichfield tomorrow (Saturday who are one of just two teams below them in the table.

Meanwhile, ASTWOOD BANK remain fourth in the Worcestershire League Division One table after slipping to a four wicket defeat at home to Worcester CC on Saturday.

Bank chose to bat first on winning the toss and they amassed a healthy total of 248 before being dismissed in the final over.

Sam Churchley (86) and Stephen Adshead (80) top scored, while Michael Desmond (17), Pete Alexander (20) and Tom Harris (17) provided support.

An opening stand of 92 between Oliver Peppiatt (44) and Jack Horton (51) paved the way for Worcester.

The visitors timed their chase to perfection by reaching 252 for 6 with three balls to spare thanks to Jeff Case (81no), Simon Keyte (16) and Bryn Evcans (23no).

Desmond was the most successful bowler with 2-20, while Dan Thomas, Andrzej Jagielski and Jonathan Summers picked up one wicket apiece.

Bank visit fourth placed Oldswinford this Saturday.

ALVECHURCH & HOPWOOD continue to hover just above the Worcestershire League Division Two relegation zone after suffering a four wicket defeat at mid-table Stourport.

Alvechurch were dismissed for just 132 of which opener James Spavin (70) and MIke Gilmour (21) were the chief contributors in the face of some fine bowling from Lee Waldron 5-39 and Andrew Cavendish 3-19.

Stourport also experienced problems but they edged to 133 for 6 in the 30th over thanks to Andrew Siwicki (23), Dan Platt (45), Christian Parry (22) and Craig Siwicki (15no).

Christian Battelley returned 4-57 from 15 tidy overs, while Iqbal Malik 1-30 and Neil Evans 1-45 shared the other wickets.

Regional sport »