Dorridge close gap to safety - The Solihull Observer

Dorridge close gap to safety

Solihull Editorial 2nd Aug, 2019   0

DORRIDGE earned crucial points in their fight against relegation, earning a winning draw in a reduced-overs match against Smethwick.

In the only match to avoid abandonment in Birmingham & District Premier Division One last weekend, the hosts set a target of 100-8 during their 20 overs, before restricting Smethwick to an 88-6 score.

After the visitors elected to field first, Dorridge lost opener Fahad Sabir (5) early on, before a haul of 21 between Siddhesh Dixit (15) and Gary Hawkins (6) began to build some momentum before the second wicket.

The quickfire dismissals of Hawkins and David Ball (2) in the space of four balls stunted the hosts somewhat, while captain Joe Dodd (6) failed in his bid to revive the innings when coming in at number six.




Edward Thompson (17) was caught and bowled by prolific Smethwick bowler Gurinder Singh (5-19), but not before laying on a crucial partnership of 25 with Aarib Khan (34no) in the sixth wicket.

Mark Swanick (1) was then trapped lbw by Sukhjit Singh, though Khan continued to accumulate runs alongside batting partners Jasper Grace (8) and Luke James (1no) to take the hosts to their final score.


In reply, Smethwick lost the trio of Omar Masood (11), Amrinder Brar (5) and Rawait Khan (0), with Ball (3-21) taking two of the dismissals as Dorridge set about frustrating the visitors.

Ball trapped Hamza Ahmed (10) lbw for his final wicket, while Siddesh Dixit removed Sukhjit Singh (7) from the crease.

A partnership of 24 between Gurinder Singh (32) and Faisal Shahid (14no) threatened to put the hosts under pressure, but it was too little too late for Smethwick to prevent a losing draw.

Dorridge hope to build some much-needed momentum on Saturday (noon) when visiting Barnt Green.

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