STROLLERS v BOSBURY

STROLLERS finished their season on a high note defeating Bosbury at Ross Road to join them in second place in the Marches League Division Three table.

The 103-run victory over their local rivals was their first victory over Bosbury in five years. Bosbury put the home side into bat and Strollers responded with a solid start seeing off the opening spells of Steve Davies and Mark Wadeley.

The first over from Jon Owen brought the breakthrough with Bentley-Taylor being bowled for 13 with the score on 33. Richard Lerego and Chris Arnold upped the run rate in a second wicket stand of 25 before Arnold was bowled by Alan Lancett in the 19th over.

Mark Powell took the attack to Bosbury straight away, taking 13 off Lancett's next over. After 23 overs, Strollers were on 75-2 and had a good foundation to push on in the second half of the innings. The score went past 100 in the 31st over, then past 150 just six overs later.

Powell brought up his half century with a hook for 6 off Wadley, and then he and Lerego brought up their 100 partnership in the 38th over. With both batsmen struggling in the heat, Powell succumbed to another short ball from Wadeley, falling for 81 after a third wicket stand of 132.

Lerego (64no) progressed to his second half century of the season, as he helped to push the score past 200 to claim maximum batting points.

The Strollers innings closed on a very useful 209-4 from their 45 overs.

Bosbury showed plenty of attacking intent in their reply but lost wickets early on. A fast bouncer from Chris Ward was edged behind by Daffin (7), then Steve Davies (4) was caught at mid off to leave Bosbury on 25-2 after seven overs.

Chris Arnold and Simon Albright were introduced into the attack with immediate success, picking up the wickets of Miller (22) and Woodhouse (5) as Bosbury stuttered to 49-4.

Jon Owen came in and struck some powerful boundaries including a big six over long on. Owen and Wadeley put on 37 for the fifth wicket, when James Powell clean bowled dangerman Owen (25).

Bosbury's final five wickets fell for 20 runs with all five Strollers bowlers picking up a wicket.

Bosbury were bowled out for 106 in the 26th over as Strollers collected maximum points in the promotion race.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Bosbury welcome Herefordians (1.30) in their final league game.