After seeing their first 2 fixtures at Walmley and King Edwards school washed out due to rain, a fairly inexperienced team made the short trip to Kidderminster to commence their Premier League season.

Kidderminster duely won the toss and on a wet wicket asked Himley to bat. New boy Rauheel fell early caught for 2, and Fellows joined Lea who looked in good form. With the score on 28 however Barton got one to hold up in the wicket, and Lea skied a catch behind the wicket. Lewis was the next man in, and he was really the last of the experienced batsman. Conditions continued to favour the bowlers, however slowly Fellows and Lewis begin to move the score on. When Fellows retired for 32 in the 17th over the partnership was worth 58. Porter-Keel joined Lewis and the innings finally closed on 90 for 2.

Whilst a competive score, Himley would need to bowl well against a strong Kidderminster batting line up. The game was extremely tight, however fine bowling by Lewis 2 for 11. and Cookson 2 for 4, supported by Marson, Siviter, Lea and Green, Himley got over the line winning by 6 runs. Special mentions must go to Fellows who took 2 super stumpings, Lea for executing a fine run out, which potentially turned the match, and Saul and Clark whose enthusiasm in the field saved the vital 6 runs.

This was a fine team performance. It showed what good fielding and team work can achieve. Well done lads.

Scorecard

Lea            ct             b Tidmarsh 19

Rauheel      ct             b Barton      2

Fellows          retired                    32

Lewis         not out                     12

Porter-Keel  not out                      1

Extras                                       24

Total                                        90 for 2

Kidderminster

                          O  M  W R

Barton                 4  0   1  21

Pinder                  2  0   0   5

Tidmarsh              4  0   1  15

Hughes                4  1   0  23

Carter                  2  1   0    2

Hatfield                2  0   0  10

Kieron                  2  0   0  10

Kidderminster

Hatfield              s Fellows     b Lewis       12

Reading             s Fellows     b Lewis          6

Hughes             c Rauheel    b Green        18

Beardsworth           run out                     22

Smith                                 b Lea            5

Billingham                not out                     5

Tidmarsh                            b Cookson      0

Carter                     run out                     0

Pinder                  lbw          b Cookson     0

Barton                      not out                   1

Extras                                                   15

Total                                                     84 for 8

Himley

                           O  M  W  R

Lewis                    4  0  2   11

Marson                  4  0  0   17

Lea                       4  0  1   17

Green                   4  0   1   14

Siviter                   2  0   0    10

Cookson                2  0   2     4