Alcester & Ragley 1st (263-3) beat Broadway 1st (212 all out) by 51 runsC

Ragley’s batting finally clicked as they ran up a big score at home to Broadway on Saturday with all the top order contributing.

Winning the toss and electing to bat Gary Strain and Marc Woolley saw off an impressive opening spell from Jason Horsburgh who only went for 18 from his 7 overs. Both batsmen were able to accumulate runs freely at the other end however, and the opening partnership was a season best 83 when Strain was well caught in the gully, one short of a deserved 50. Woolley followed shortly afterwards for 28. Paul Dipple and Colin Devincentiis then added 59 in very good time, of these Dipple made 39, from just 24 balls including 3 sixes before he was out lbw, this left the score on 159-3 in the 33rd over. Devincentiis then took centre stage as he and Adam Peachey added 104 runs unbeaten in the final 12 overs. Both were particularly severe on Evans who went for 70 runs from his 7 overs, including 34 from his final 2. Devincentiis finished on an excellent 86 not out, with 10 fours and 3 sixes and he was ably supported by Peachey who carried on his recent good form with 35 not out. Pick of the Broadway bowlers was Burford who bowled only 6 overs and finished with 2-23.

In reply Broadway lost an early wicket when Holmes was lbw for 7 from the bowling of Steve Capron. Broadway captain Clement and G Evans then put on a good partnership of 53 before Evans chipped Julian Reader to mid off when he had scored 25. The score at this point was 66-2 and 2 further wickets fell on this total as the evergreen Woolley had Clement lbw for 31 with his first ball and then bowled Humpston around his legs for 0 two balls later. Next over Strain stumped N Evans off the bowling of Reader for 4 as Broadway’s run chase seemed to be ending before it had started. Beale (26) and Clark (43) added some respectability to the final total as they put on 60 for the 6th wicket, and the innings was all but wrapped up as Adam Warbrick claimed 2 wickets and Tom Morris one to leave Broadway on 168-9. The final wicket pairing of Horsburgh and Burford added 44 between them as Ragley tried everything to get the final wicket before Woolley came back and bowled Burford for 16 in the 43rd over. Woolley finished with 3-15 in 7 overs as Ragley ran out comfortable winners by 51runs. Reader also impressed as he bowled 10 overs straight through to claim 2-34.