Ross First XI played host to Alvechurch and Hopwood on a beautiful summer day at The Park on Saturday, 29th June.

Upon winning the toss the visitors had no hesitation to bat, but they lost their skipper in the first over of the match when Harry Porter (6-0-22-1) had Liam Hall lbw for a duck. A second wicket stand took the score to 50 with Sam Kindlen (44) and Steve Smith (25) leading the way.

Harry King (5-0-20-1) made the breakthrough and for the rest of the innings the visitors struggled against the bowling of James Tiffen (14-4-33-3) and Christiaan Ferreira (12.2-1-26-4).

The innings closed on 126 after 44.2 overs which was to prove a well under par score on an excellent pitch for batting.

In reply Ross had a wobble in the third over losing two wickets in successive balls to the bowling of Chris Battelley (9-2-27-2), but James Tiffen (56) and Bruno Warwick (65*) steadied the ship and took the score to 118 before John Pinsent (9-0-39-1) broke the partnership.

The winning runs were scored in the 33rd over to give Ross 24 league points.

For more stories in full please see this week's Ross Gazette.