Delight for Donald while 2nds ensure more Wardens success

In the process, Wardens increased their points tally to 410, the highest in any of the Birmingham League’s eight divisions.

Donald’s unbeaten 53 also took him past 500 league runs, meaning all Wardens’ top five have passed this notable landmark.

A match reduced to 30-overs per side by heavy overnight rain appeared evenly poised after the dismissal of opening pair Nick Seager (22) and Keith Bell (28), plus Scott Stenning, reduced the hosts’ quest for 161 to 55 for three. However, skipper Donald then blasted a six and five fours in an entertaining 40-ball cameo.

He was joined in an unbroken 110-run fourth-wicket alliance by Zimbabwean all-rounder Jason Young, whose hard-hitting unbeaten 46 included four maximums.

This took Wardens to their target in the 24th over, despite the best efforts of seamer Ted Baylis, who claimed two for 19.

Earlier, Ombersley opener Liam Gwynne fought a lone hand after veteran trundler Eian Marillier had claimed his first Birmingham League wicket in a tidy opening spell.

The compact left-hander appeared to be batting on a different pitch to his colleagues as he progressed serenely to 50 out of 79 for six.

Gwynne finally received some effective support from teenage all-rounder Josh Haynes (26), who helped him add 61 for the seventh wicket, before the opener unselfishly sacrificed his wicket in the final over for an outstanding 99.

Glasshouse Park was rocking on Saturday night after Wardens 2nds made it a championship double by clinching the Division Two (South) title with a last-gasp three-run win at Ombersley.

James Jordan’s team ended a three-year absence from Division One thanks to Paul Henderson’s virtuoso performance in a rain-reduced 40-over clash.

The veteran all-rounder made an excellent half-century to guide the visitors to 175 for eight, before grabbing three for 30 and a crucial catch as Ombersley’s chase fell narrowly short at 172 for seven.

James Madley’s well-crafted 45, plus a breezy 35 from Tom Brammer got Wardens off to a flying start on a damp pitch before Henderson’s classy 50 took Wardens past the second batting point required to guarantee a promotion spot.

George Cook and Ryan D’Oliveira grabbed three wickets apiece for Ombersley, after which another member of Cape Town’s most famous cricketing family threatened to take the hosts to victory.

Marcus D’Oliveira’s excellent 61, coupled with a useful 41 from opener Tom Oakley, took the hosts within range.

However, Henderson’s sharp catch removed D’Oliveira, after which his three-wicket haul ripped through the middle order to deliver the victory which clinched the silverware.