Venter stars in Harvington win (From Cotswold Journal)

Venter stars in Harvington win

10:10am Friday 27th July 2012 in Cricket

HARVINGTON moved into third place in Worcestershire League Division Three with a solid five-wicket victory over Alveley.

After winning the toss and electing to field, Jo Venter (4-40) and Ben Hawker (1-17) had the hosts in trouble on 30-3.

Off-spinner Dave Waters picked up two useful wickets with Steve Mckelvie also claiming a brace.

Despite late-order resistance, Alveley were dismissed for 116.

In reply, Andrew Fisher and Waters put on 35 for the first wicket before the former was dismissed for 16.

Venter (18) began to rebuild the innings with Waters (21) but wickets began to tumble.

However, James Towey’s 34 saw his side home with Chris Andrews unbeaten on 14 as Harvington completed victory with plenty of overs to spare.

The seconds won their first Division Three game of the season after posting 147 all out with George Whiston (39) top-scoring.

Alveley were dismissed for 78 with four wickets each for Trevor Knowles and Sam Bannister.

The Sunday side defeated Stow-on-the-Wold with Venter (91) and Fisher (67) the main contributors in Harvington’s 240-4.

Stow were all out for 142 with Jethro Chadwick taking 3-8, Fisher 2-8 and 15-yearold Tom Heywood 2-27. Ashley Andrews scored 70.

• The Lenches returned to action with a six-wicket win at Leek Wootton in John Shepherd Cotswold Hills League Division Two.

After winning the toss and putting the hosts in, Lenches bowled tightly with Ed Cottrill taking an early wicket.

Charlie Stokes and Cottrill claimed seven wickets between them with only T Dart (25) really troubling the scorers in their 88 all out.

Stokes held two catches in the slips plus a caught-andbowled.

Lenches got off to the worse possible start with both openers departing for ducks to leave them on 7-2 from six overs.

Alan White and Brian Williams dug in before the runs started to flow although the former was caught out with the visitors still 37 runs short of victory.

Williams departed with four runs required after forming a partnership with Steve Protherough before the target was reached a couple of overs later.