OLD ELIZABETHANS’ Johann Smit smashed a magnificent unbeaten 150 as his side claimed a winning draw against Coventry & North Warwickshire in Division Two of the Birmingham League.
The opener’s 169 ball knock included 17 fours and there was good support from Jonathan Miles (53) as OEs amassed 263 for 3 in their 55 overs.
Liam Booth and Damon Gariff both picked up an early wicket to leave the hosts 17-2, but a watchful third-wicket partnership of 107 between Chris Ngoepe (60) and Matthew Pickering (75) rebuilt the innings.
Joe Taylor gave OEs hope of a victory as he ripped through the middle order with four wickets to leave Coventry & North Warwickshire 180-7.
But there were to be no further wickets as Harry Horsley and Vic Clements batted out the remaining overs to secure a draw.
WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE:
WORCESTER Nomads were skittled for just 119 as local rivals Worcester CC cruised to an eight-wicket win in Division One of the Worcestershire County League.
After Worcester skipper Liam Weston won the toss and elected to bowl first a flurry of early wickets soon left the hosts in trouble at 45-4.
Richard Henry’s knock of 44 helped his side to 106-5, but after he was dismissed, Russell Pitchers ran through the rest of Nomads batting line up with 4-15 as they lost their last five wickets for just 13 runs.
Nick Brown then got the Worcester reply off to a flying start, and despite a couple of wickets for Dominic Badger, Brown continued to flay the ball to all parts to end unbeaten on 71 off 86 balls.
Worcester’s victory means they are level on points with second placed Pershore who eased to a six-wicket victory at Belbroughton and just one point behind leaders Colwall who beat Pedmore by two-wickets.
Elsewhere Redditch overcame Bromyard by 21 runs, Droitwich Spa claimed a winning draw over bottom side Harvington and Hagley earned a winning draw against Evesham.
In Division Two, Matthew Williams’ five-wicket haul and an unbeaten 73 from captain John Hancock helped Worcester Dominies to an eight-wicket victory over Wormelow.
Williams took 5-37 and James Gerrish and Andrew Wilks picked up two wickets each as the visitors were bowled out for 153.
Hancock and Stephen Miles (57) then shared a century opening stand as Dominies reached the target in 24 overs.
Bottom side Rushwick were bowled out for just 124 as they lost by nine-wickets at Burhill & Tillington.
Phil Mackie’s unbeaten half-century guided Old Vigornians to a thrilling one-wicket win at Alvechurch & Hopwood in Division Three.
Batting at number nine, Mackie hit eight fours and two sixes in his 55 not out as OVs chased down a target of 216 having been 126-7 at one stage.
