Wormelow 2nd XI welcomed Oldswinford & Stourbridge 2nd XI to Kennelfield on Saturday, looking to maintain their recent fine form. Skipper, Jordan Reading, won the toss, for only the second time this season, and had no hesitation in batting first.

Openers Robbie Stonadge (33) and Dave Bannerman (44) combined well to put on 52 for the first wicket before Stonadge drove hard at a wide full delivery and could only edge behind. Ed Melly joined Bannerman and the pair soon had the scoreboard ticking over as they accumulated runs all around the wicket.

Bannerman passed 4000 runs for the club with a delightful lofted straight drive, before he fell to a top edge when attempting to slog sweep when the partnership was worth 62. Dylan Baynham (eight) came and went before veteran, Jamie Langford, (27) joined the fluent Melly. The pair upped the run rate and combined for the third half century partnership off the innings before Langford was adjudged LBW and had to head back to the pavilion.

The score had progressed to 230 before Melly finally fell, losing his stumps when attempting another big shot, the classy right hander on his way for a fine 81 off 95 balls. Wormelow lost a few wickets in the pursuit of quick runs before Reading (19no) was joined by Simon Podmore (14no). The pair added 30 runs for the ninth wicket in the final few overs. A competitive total of 271-8 off 50 overs was the final outcome.

The Oldswinford openers got the reply off to a rapid start, putting on 45 for the first wicket before Reading made a crucial breakthrough thanks to the safe hands of Bannerman. With the seamers finding life tough, spin was introduced to the attack. Jeewan Puri took little time in picking up two quick wickets to reduce the visitors to 75-3.

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