This weekend saw a triangular tournament between Bickley Park, West Hagley and ourselves. Friday saw the two visiting teams go head to head with Bickley Park chasing down a competitive 239 from West Hagley to win by 6 wickets.
Saturday was the home team against Bickley Park who were here to celebrate their 150th anniversary.
Menorca posted a modest below par total of 184/9 from their alloted 40 overs. Cockroft snr and Sturgeon top scoring with 42 and 38 respectively Patel 4/33 and Read 3/38 doing the bulk of the damage for the visitors.
In reply Bickley struggled to really get going with skipper Cotton and Wilson turning the screw and picking up a wicket apiece.. Following on from the openers Hagger and Barker ripped through the middle order picking up three wickets each to dent any hopes of the visitors chasing down what many thought a paltry total.
Even Sturgeon chipped in with a wicket extraordinarily enough, much to the amusement of the astonished onlookers.
Bickley Park lost their last wicket with the score on 161 giving the hosts an unexpectedly comfortable 23 run victory. Arguably the home sides best performance of the season to date.
Sunday saw regular visitors West Hagley finish the tournament against Menorca.
West Hagley batted first and posted a formidable 275/4 with Aneeq Hassan retiring having blasted 129 and fellow pro Amar Ullah finishing 84* Sunday skipper Roussel bowled superbly and economically picking up 2/32 from his 8 over stint.
Menorca started well in response with the skipper and regular visitor Wilcock giving the locals hope of an upset. Roussel was caught and bowled for 47 with the score on 88 in the 15th over. Wilcock went on to fall two short of what would have been a deserved ton and despite a couple of cameos from Wilson and Ball jnr Menorca fell 34 short. It was a sterling effort from our Sunday side against a very talented side.
Another terrific weekend at the home of Balearic cricket.
MENORCA CRICKET CLUB