Bedworth burst brought to halt by reigning champions

BEDWORTH’S recent good run of form came to a shuddering halt in an eight-wicket reverse at defending champions Stratford.

Several visiting batters got a start but only former Worcestershire star Abdul Hafeez who reached an unbeaten 42 made much impact for the visitors who stuttered to 197 for seven against an accurate home attack.

Gareth Langman’s brilliant unbeaten 71-ball 97 then clinched the spoils for the hosts in emphatic style. He struck 15 boundaries and a six while adding an unbroken 153 in the company of Nick Pepper (46no) as the hosts raced to the finishing line in the 30th over.

Veteran seamer Hamza Nadeem grabbed 5-38 as Aston Manor claimed a 47-run win over basement boys Bablake. Haaris Azram and Tom Yardley both made 47 for the Coventry-based visitors whose quest for 193 ended in the 46th over at 146. Nadeem had earlier made 54 of the 93-run fifth-wicket partnership with Faisal Shahid (50) which enabled Manor to recover from 49 for four. Yardley’s fine match saw him claim 3-16 with the new ball for Bablake.

Coventry & North Warwickshire’s Indian pro Shivan Bhambri lashed a brilliant 162 including seven sixes as his club recorded a 106-run win at Rugby. Taran Toor also contributed a half-century to Cov’s 313 for six before three George Neal wickets limited the home side’s response to 207 of which Alex Watson top-scored with 43.

Attock’s former IPL star Anureet Singh dominated his team’s 92-run win at Walmley. After Arsalaan Mahmood’s 67 got the visitors off to a good start the former Rajasthan Royal smashed six sixes in a 26-ball 52 made in partnership with Mo Ishtiaq (56). He then grabbed 4-20 as Walmley were bowled out for 157 of which Jamie Hall top-scored with 40.

Sutton Coldfield were equally dominant winners over Olton after the Thomason brothers continued their recent run of outstanding batting form.

Former county pro Aaron made a fine 84, but it was skipper Lee’s outstanding unbeaten 107 which really caught the eye during their 168-run fourth-wicket partnership.

Paceman Jacob Squire-wood then took 6-28 as Olton’s response to the visitors’ 264 for five ended in the 25th over at 87.

After four rounds of action it is Solihull Municipal that are unexpected leaders of the county league’s top flight. Their unbeaten run was extended by a three-wicket win at Moseley Ashfield, who still look to break their seasonal duck. Olliethomas made a half-century for the hosts, but a consistent batting display ensured Muni edged to their 217-run target with 14 balls remaining despite Iltaf Rehman grabbing 4-39.