BOARS skipper Mark Evenson says that his side’s 24-run loss to Ombersley could have been a different story, had Bromsgrove put a stop to talisman Liam Gwynne earlier in the game.
Ombersley were dismissed for 161 in the 53rd over, but Bromsgrove fell just short with a 137 total after making a slow start to their innings in the Birmingham & District Premier Division Two clash.
Evenson says that Saturday’s (noon) fixture against Leamington has every chance of being another high-scoring affair, having taken a winning draw in the reverse fixture in May.
“We did very well at their place, Jayden [Levitt] and Ashley [Newfield] hit big totals so we have every chance if we get a repeat of that,” he said.
“If we get off to a good start on home territory, then we have every chance of winning.”
In Saturday’s defeat, Ombersley batted first after Bromsgrove elected to field, with the early dismissals of Tom Oakley (6) and Joshua Dell (1) proving useful to the visitors’ cause.
Gareth Williams (5-25) then trapped Uday Kaul (13) lbw, with Declan Lines (10) lost cheaply when bowled by Alex Wilkinson (3-35) at 64-4.
A middle order collapse followed for Ombersley shortly after passing the 100-run mark, with three wickets lost in the space of four overs as the hosts slipped to 109-7.
Ombersley recovered with a stand of 32 between Matt Davis (19) and Matthew Rawnsley (20no) that eventually proved decisive in winning the game.
Williams claimed the final three wickets after removing Davis, Arti Fiaz (11) and Neil Slade (0) to finish Ombersley on their 161 total.
Bromsgrove lost wickets regularly during their time at the crease, with Alistair Hickman (5), Jayden Levitt (12) and Alex Milton (6) all struggling to make an impact out of the top order.
Number three Ryan Pedley (24) was lost at 57-4 after top scoring for his side, while Deon Patel (5) and Jack Taylor (5) continuing the trend of low scoring.
The middle-to-late order did offer hope, particularly after a ninth-wicket partnership of 39 between Williams (22) and Evenson (19no) that took the Boars to within 26 runs of victory.
But from the very next over, Tom Russell (0) was caught by Gareth Andrew off Edward Baylis’ delivery to signal defeat for the Boars.
Evenson felt that victory was well within reach for his side, but highlighted the impact that Ombersley bowler Andrew, who took 3-36 and five maidens, had on Bromsgrove’s innings.
“It was a disappointing result, we claimed the toss and bowled them out for 161, so we were well in the game,” said the Boars captain.
“The rest of the Ombersley batsmen didn’t really threaten other than Gwynne, Gareth Andrew on the new ball was hard to stop during our innings, it was not what we needed.”
He pointed to one moment during Omberlsey’s time at the crease that could have changed the entire complexion of the game.
“There was one opportunity out of the 50/50 chances where Gwynne hit a ball into the gully area, but Ryan Pedley couldn’t quite take it,” said Evenson.
“”We were thinking, if we can defend 140 or so then we might have a chance, but we had to bat well and we didn’t for the most part.”
