BEDWORTH CC secured a convincing six-wicket win at Moseley Ashfield after producing a fine all-round team performance in the Warwickshire Premier League, writes Paul Smith.
After three wickets apiece from new recruit Waqar Dad and Juggy Nandra had dismissed the Birmingham-based hosts in the 40th over for 173, the visitors’ batting line-up wasted little time in securing 20 valuable league points.
Opening pair Ryan Parnell and Max Page led the way by putting together a sparkling 130-run partnership in only 26.1 overs.
And although both fell in quick succession Finn Haynes’ breezy 27 ensured that Bedworth opened their 2022 account in impressive style with 16 overs remaining.
Skipper Abdul Hafeez was extremely pleased with his team’s performance seven days on from an opening day defeat at the hands of Olton.
“We’re delighted to get off the mark with such a good all-round display,” the former Worcestershire all-rounder said.
“It was a good toss to win on a pitch with some grass but our seamers then exploited it really well. Our discipline with the ball was loads better this week – we only bowled a handful of wides – and Ashfield were something like 90 for six at drinks.
“Although they got to 170 we were very pleased and our openers then batted very well. Ryan continued his good form from last week and Max timed the ball superbly.
“All in all it was an extremely satisfying performance.”
Manbir Johal claimed the important early wicket of the dangerous Ollie Thomas before Ashfield’s second pair took the score to 56.
But thereafter Dad (3-41) and Fizz Abdullah (2-31) worked their way through the home middle-order to such good effect that seven wickets fell for the addition of only 69 further runs.
The home side’s veteran opening bowler Phil Jeffries then used the skills he picked up in his days as a young top-order batter to make an even-time 54 including 12 boundaries.
But Nandra soon cleaned up the tail-enders, and when Jeffries was last out the home side were left with ten unused overs.
When 17-year-old Page struck the third ball of the visitors’ response for six Bedworth’s intentions were made very clear.
And having battled through tidy opening spells from Jeffries and Felix Shears (1-18) it was the arrival of the change bowler which saw Bedworth’s opening pair cut loose.
Page struck four sixes and ten boundaries in his excellent 89-ball 78 while senior partner Parnell, despite being content to play the supporting role, also found the rope ten times during his 76-ball 50.
After both fell in quick succession to Iltaf Rehman, Haynes also struck five boundaries in his 27 as Hafeez’s team romped home.
