Cricket
Bryan and Young guide Spa to victory

AN UNBROKEN sixth wicket partnership of 131 between Paul Bryan and Max Young guided Droitwich to a five-wicket Worcestershire League Division One home victory against Bromyard on Saturday.

The pair came together with the innings in tatters at 24-5 and they initially stopped the rot against the pace of Sri Lankan Dinusha Fernando (3-58) and swing of Greg Leighton (2-21) before seizing the initiative against the change bowlers.

Bryan's immaculate defence and resolve allowed Young to play the more attacking role as they proved the perfect foil for each other.

Once Fernando's opening spell had been seen off, Young played with increasing freedom and control and scored all around the wicket as the game swung dramatically towards the home side.

The persevering Fernando returned for a second spell but it proved to be wicketless as Young was now finding the boundary regularly, including a sweetly timed straight six, and it was fitting he hit the winning runs with three overs left to finish on 91no. Bryan finished with an equally invaluable 38no as victory was reached at 156-5.

Earlier in the day Bromyard appeared to heading for a big score in difficult batting conditions as openers Ash Bullock (38) and Edd Oliver (21) put on 55 for the first wicket.

The returning Mike Rogers had bowled an impressive opening spell with no luck, but it was the introduction of Jake Young and Adam Crowle which ripped the heart out of the visitors' batting order as they collapsed to 69-5.

Jake Young found some turn to pick up the key wicket of Fernando (4) as Ian Cottrill took the first of three catches.

Crowle (3-24) continued his impressive first season with Spa with another controlled spell of swing bowling and produced the ball of the day to bowl Leighton for a duck.

However, experienced Bromyard skipper Zahid Saeed batted calmly and along with Luke Ledbury (20) rescued the innings and seemed to be guiding Bromyard to a score in the region of 180.

Back came Spa though as Crowle continued his good day with a stunning one handed catch to dismiss Saeed for 38 just as he was beginning to cut loose and Jake Young mopped the tail up to finish with 5-50 off 16 overs as Bromyard were all out for 155.

The victory moved Spa up to fourth place, just 16 points behind leaders Astwood Bank, ahead of Saturday's trip to Pedmore.

Regional sport »