It's normally Semi Final's weekend of the National Villlage Cup, but this years quest for the famous trophy has only just begun. We took on Exhall & Wixford, the 2004 runners up, in front of a bumper crowd at The Bank Bowl in the Worcestershire regional final.
On another scorching day, captain Pete Alexander won the toss again, but this time elected to bowl first inserting the Cotswold Hills league side for first use of a fresh pitch.
Joel Haslam started the bowling for the home side, partnered with Dan Thomas but both had line issues in their opening overs, gifting some freebies to the Exhall side. The generosity didn't last long though, with both bowlers quickly finding good areas and pegging back the opening batsmen Perry and Smith. Haslam, who went on to take an excellent 5 wicket haul, got the first breakthrough with Perry trapped lbw. Number 3 Green soon followed feathering an edge from Haslam to Connor Adams behind the stumps.
Bank, now feeling on top, got the wicket of Smith soon after, with a fine delivery from Dan Thomas trapping him lbw. They were then left frustrated when a partnerships formed for the visitors. Simon Hollands was joined by Nat Cherry and both played well to get themselves in and then push the scoring rate on. The visitors were beginning to look on top with the score on 120 for 3 at the half way stage.
There was then a long delay in play with Bank batsman Rob West suffering a finger injury while fielding. Bank used this break in play to slow proceedings down and reintroduce Joel Haslam to the attack. He removed both batters in his remaining few overs allowing Bank to quickly turn things around. The innings fizzled out and Exhall were dismissed for 160.
As usual, Bank got off to a good start with the bat. West, with his dodgy digit wasn;t in the mood to hand about. He hit a couple of maximums in his brief 19. Pedley looked good until undone by a good slower ball and dismissed LBW for 15. Tom Underhill came in and did what Tom Underhill does. He smashed 50 off 33 balls.
Again, some good slow bowling by the opposition caused problems. Josh Baker and Sam Thomas both made contributions before falling, leaving Connor Adams to see the team home to a comfortable 5 wicket victory. Adams finished with a fine 32 not out.
We have a visit from Temple Grafton of Warwickshire in the next round this Sunday.
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