High-flying Kington head for struggling Fordhouses tomorrow in confident mood after racking up their fourth Birmingham League win in six games.
David Exall’s side lie third in the Division Three table just 12 points behind leaders Wombourne – and the skipper issued a “we fear no-one” warning as his side prepares for a visit to the bottom-of-the table club.
“We’re playing some good cricket,” said the Herefordshire all-rounder. “It was another fine team performance last week, and the way it’s going, we’re not afraid of playing anyone.”
Kington will be without Ben Stebbings tomorrow as the youngster has school commitments – his place goes to Rhys Price. But Exall’s side are otherwise at full strength for a game which, on current form, they ought to win.
Kington maintained their title challenge with a five-wicket home victory over Studley last Saturday.
Sri Lankan ace Dharshana Gamage, in fine form at the moment, led the way with 5-41 as Kington dismissed Studley for 159.
“Dharshana bowled well again on Saturday, especially in his first spell,” said Exall. “For the second week running he dismissed the opponents’ key batsman cheaply, which was a massive boost.”
There were two victims apiece for Adam Herbert and Owen Price.
Kington lost early wickets in reply, but opener Chris Powell saw them through to 160-5 with an unbeaten 79. Gamage lent good support with 31no.
“Chris is batting as well as anyone at the moment, and Dharshana came in at a tricky time to help him see it through,” said Exall, who was a member of the Herefordshire team which hammered Wiltshire in the MCCA Trophy at Kington on Sunday.
Chris Powell was called up into the county team at the last minute following an injury to Harshad Patel, and he made 19no as the home side reached 58-1 in reply to Wiltshire’s miserable total of 57 (Owen Price 3-23).
Kington Seconds suffered a narrow seven-run defeat at Studley, being bowled out for 140 after the hosts had made 147-9.
But magnificent individual performances by Wayne Morgan and Nick Evans led Kington Thirds to a crushing 162-run victory at Ledbury Firsts in Division One of the Marches League.
Morgan hammered 146, including 13 four and seven sixes, as Kington reached 291-5 in their 45 overs.
Evans then took 9-34 to bowl the home side out for 129.
