Knowle & Dorridge in strong position to retain league crown, says Reddish - The Solihull Observer

Knowle & Dorridge in strong position to retain league crown, says Reddish

Solihull Editorial 2nd Aug, 2018   0

SKIPPER Sam Reddish believes Knowle & Dorridge are in a good position to retain their Birmingham League Premier Division crown with eight games remaining.

Second-placed K&D certainly had luck on their side on Saturday as they managed to beat the inclement weather and claim a comprehensive 159-run victory at Smethwick.

Oliver Haley struck 96 from 101 balls for K&D who posted a daunting 269-9 from their allotted 55 overs.

In reply, Smethwick slumped to 74-7 and then 110 all out, with Chris Cheslin (4-27) ripping through their middle and lower order.




The win was made even sweeter after league leaders Berkswell had their crunch clash against West Bromwich Dartmouth abandoned.

It means just two points separate the top two with eight games remaining and the pair lock horns on the penultimate weekend of the season in what could be a title decider.


Reddish said: “What pleased me more is that not only we performed well against Smethwick but we took full advantage of the luck which fell our way.

“If we win all our remaining games, we will have defended our title which is what we set out to do at the start of the season.

“However, to win eight games in a row is a huge ask but I do believe the title is in our own hands now.

“It’s always harder to defend the title than it is to actually win it, so if we could claim back-to-back league crowns it would be some achievement.”

Up next for K&D is a home game against sixth-placed Kenilworth Wardens on Saturday, the team which inflicted a first league defeat of the season back in May. However, the clash is expected to be an emotional affair after Wardens announced the sudden death of their chairman and second XI captain James Madley.

He died at the age of 29, just weeks after being diagnosed with cancer.

A minute’s silence will be held before the game at Station Road in his honour.

“As a visitor to Wardens for most of my playing years and as a fellow member of the Warwickshire Imps, on behalf of K&D I would like to offer our condolences to everyone at the club and to his family at this very sad time,” said Reddish.

“Cricket has lost a terrific bloke at such a young age.”

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