Cricket
Levitt leads Bromsgrove to victory

A FINE innings from Jayden Levitt led Bromsgrove to a second Birmingham League Division One victory of the season at Shifnal on Saturday.

In conditions that favoured bowlers as opposed to batsmen, Levitt's unbeaten 66 helped ease nerves in the Bromsgrove camp as they chased down Shifnal's 133ao to reach victory at 134-6 after 36 overs.

Captain Mark Evenson chose to bowl upon winning the toss and saw Tom Underhill make an early breakthrough when having Tom Collins (6) caught by George Rhodes.

Shifnal took their time from that point as they looked to build a solid platform and at the halfway stage were 72-1 thanks to George Collins (33) and Chris Brabazon (36).

The drinks break proved timely for Bromsgrove as they made immediate inroads afterwards with Evenson and Alexei Kervezee taking two wickets each.

Mikey Wyres also picked up two, Underhill grabbed a second and two runs out completed Shifnal's innings with two balls to spare.

John Mountford (2-18) struck twice early in Bromsgrove's reply with Ash Newdick and Rhodes the men to go, making it 19-2.

Kervezee and Levitt then came together and the latter's stay in the middle would have been a short one had he not been dropped first ball.

It was to prove a costly drop for Shifnal as although they removed Kervezee for 23, Adam Gailey for 15 and Joel Tratt for 4, Levitt and Tom Green (19) formed an excellent partnership to see Bromsgrove almost home.

Green did fall just before the end but the damage had been done with the visitors taking victory with 14 overs to spare.

Skipper Evenson spoke of his delight at the start made by his side and is hopeful they will continue their good form, starting at Old Hill tomorrow.

"We have played some good cricket in difficult conditions so far and confidence is high," he said.

"It was a seamer friendly day at Shifnal and we hoped to bowl them out for 150 or 160, so 130 was pleasing.

"We didn't have things all our own way in reply but Jayden played superbly and was very well supported by Tom Green.

"The wickets were well shared out too and everybody is playing an important part at the moment and contributing to the team ethic we are trying to build."

Looking ahead to tomorrow, Evenson said: "Old Hill have lost a few players since last season but they will always be a strong side.

"They have only played once out of three weekends so far so it is hard to judge their form, but we'll be ready to face whatever challenge they throw at us."

A FINE all-round performance from Chris Harwood could not save Ombersley from a four-wicket Birmingham League Division Two home defeat against Kenilworth Wardens on Saturday.

Harwood made 41 and was one of onle three batsmen to reach double figures as Ombersley were dismissed for 143 having been put in, Ted Baylis top scored with 54.

Harwood then took 3-40 during Wardens' reply but despite receiving good support from Neil Slade (3-32) he could not prevent the visitors reaching victory at 144-6 in the 50th over.

Sitansu Kotak top scored with 50 to frustrate an Ombersley side who entertain Dorridge tomorrow.

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