after 17 hard fought Worcester League matches, Ross CC First XI entertained Bromsgrove in their last league match of the season on Saturday August 27th. This was a crunch encounter as Ross needed victory to secure promotion.

After very heavy rain in Ross on Friday night and Saturday morning, the Ross groundsmen, Steve Earl and Chris Ball, had a huge task on their hands to ensure that the match was able to take place.

Winning the toss, Bromsgrove elected to bat first. The Ross opening bowlers of Dan Risk and Christiaan Ferreira showed great control and discipline from the outset, which immediately put the Bromsgrove batsmen under pressure. Ross didn't have to wait very long before Risk claimed the first wicket of the match, trapping Hope, LBW. Not to be outdone, Ferreira also picked up his first wicket when he cleaned bowled Hutchins (1). Barnes was the next wicket to fall, also to Ferreira who clean bowled him to leave the Bromsgrove innings on 18 for 3 after 10 overs. Walker and Lake started to build a partnership until Nick Tregaskes had Walker (18) well caught by James Tiffen at mid wicket. The introduction of spin had an immediate impact as Gabriel Warwick had the Bromsgrove skipper, Paul Husbands (1) caught by Risk. Another Bromsgrove partnership looked promising between Lake and Russell (22) until Warwick claimed his second scalp when Lake (36) advanced down the wicket, missed the ball, and was stumped by some good glove work from Ed Cinderey. Ross continued to put the Bromsgrove batsman under pressure by taking further wickets, including an excellent diving catch by Nick Tregaskes. The final Bromsgrove wicket fell with the score on 118 after 46 overs. All the Ross bowlers were supported with an excellent display of fielding, which made it very difficult for the Bromsgrove batsman to score freely. Pick of the Ross bowlers were Gabriel Warwick (11-5-24-5) and Christiaan Ferreira (11-4-21-2).

After the tea interval and a heavy rain shower, Ross openers Jack Evans and James Tiffen started to chip away at the Bromsgrove total, moving the score on to 34. Read the full report in this week's Gazette.