COUNTIES CRICKET Sturgess matchwinner for Cornwall

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Created on Wednesday, 26 July 2023 07:51

Last Updated on Thursday, 27 July 2023 06:41

Published on Wednesday, 26 July 2023 07:51

Written by PAUL BOLTON National Counties Cricket correspondent

Cornwall became the first Western Division side to win this season, beating Shropshire by five wickets at Bridgnorth in Division Two. 

Having committed themselves to bowling out Shropshire for a second time, Cornwall were frustrated by a half-century from Oxford University opener George Hargrave (77) then by stubborn cameos from Andre Bradford, Peter Clark and Tim Maxfield. 

At 200 for five Shropshire appeared to be battling their way towards safety but they lost their last three wickets without addition in seven balls and were dismissed for 258. 

Seamer Tommy Sturgess (four for 54) and off-spinner Ellis Whiteford (three for 49) were the men who did the damage which left Cornwall a target of 148. 

Sturgess then played a decisive role with the bat, striking 36 not out from just 17 balls with three sixes, to see Cornwall to their target inside 23 overs. 

Will MacVicar followed up his first innings century with a quickfire 39 from 31 balls – also with three sixes – to help Cornwall to a maximum points win. 

Wales NC captain Cameron Herring was in the runs again following up his first innings century with 73 not out – which gave him a match aggregate of 244 without being dismissed – in the draw against Wiltshire at Corsham. 

Solid batting down the order from Steffan Roberts (53), Brad Wadlan (44), Will Ryan (42) and Tim Moses (39) took Wales to their declaration at 295 for eight. Off-spinner Joe King (four for 93) took half of the wickets. 

Wiltshire were set a notional 347 for victory and were happy to bat out time for the draw, closing on for 157 for three with Jack Mynott (49) and Jack Stearman (40 not out) again their main contributors. 

Defending champions Berkshire were frustrated by Oxfordshire’s George Tait as the 2021 Championship winners held out for a tense draw at Thame in Western Division One. 

Having drawn their opening match against Devon Berkshire captain Dan Lincoln opened up another rain-affected contest by declaring their second innings at 177 for five which set Oxfordshire a target of 227. 

Tait followed up his career-best 83 in Oxfordshire’s first innings with 77 from 64 balls and with support from Jared Warner, the Gloucestershire seamer, they got Oxfordshire to within 18 of their target. 

But Warner and Tait perished in quick succession trying to clear the ropes and the ninth wicket pair of Callum Russell and Max Mannering were happy to play out the final over for the draw with Oxfordshire on 211 for eight. 

The other Western Division One match between Cheshire and Herefordshire was abandoned without a ball being bowled, the fourth complete washout at Alderley Edge since 1998. 

With rain badly affecting the Western Division so far this season the first four matches in the top flight have all failed to produce a positive result. 

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