First loss for Spa (From Droitwich Advertiser)

First loss for Spa

4:22pm Wednesday 1st July 2009

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DROITWICH Spa had their first setback of the season on Saturday, going down to a 24 run defeat at Monmouth.

This was despite a fine 60 run sixth wicket partnership between Neil Davies (45) and captain Andy Fletcher (27) which appeared to have put Droitwich in the driving seat, needing only 44 from nine overs with five wickets left.

But a rapid collapse put paid to Spa's ideas of extending their lead at the top of the Worcestershire League Division Two table, and they tasted defeat for the first time this season, being bowled out with three overs to spare.

Earlier in the day, Droitwich fielded first on a hot afternoon and Monmouth made a good start, despite accurate spells from Mike Rogers and Karl Goddard.

The change bowling of spinners Martin Woodward and Martyn Davies did not manage to tie down the Monmouth batsmen, as a succession of them got to between 30 and 40, before being out.

With the return of Rogers and the introduction of swing bowler Neil Davies, Spa got to grips with the game and a steady fall of wickets, combined with some sharp fielding restricted Monmouth to 205-8 off 50 overs.

Neil Davies was the pick of the bowlers, returning 3-44.

Droitwich’s response seemed untroubled as openers Paul Bryan and Max Young took the score to 29, but both were adjudged LBW within several balls of each other.

They were having the same problem as Monmouth, with batsmen getting established, but not going on to post a large score.

Neil Wright looked good for 37, but was adjudged caught behind and the game was in the balance at the halfway stage, until Fletcher and Davies took charge.

The inability of one batsman to bat through cost Spa victory, but they still lead the table, albeit by a narrow margin.

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