THERE was celebration on and off the pitch at Pershore Cricket Club on Sunday when the final round of the Under 19 NatWest Club T20 Blast took place.
The home team enjoyed victory at the festival, which saw opposition provided by Ombersley and Worcester in the ‘Daryl Mitchell’ division and coincided with the Plums hosting a luncheon for the Worcestershire captain in his benefit season.
Mitchell was accompanied by Worcestershire assistant coach and bowling coach Matt Mason as guests of honour.
With two round-robin festivals already completed between the sides, this final round would decide the winner of the ‘Daryl Mitchell’ division.
In the first game Pershore’s bowlers restricted Ombersley by taking wickets regularly, with Charlie Cross (3-27) leading the way.
Ombersley were indebted to Sam Hughes (41) as they made 121 off their 20 overs.
The Plums managed to reach their target with four overs to spare thanks to a fantastic innings of 51 off 37 balls from Charlie Norton, who was well supported by Will Davies (22).
In the second match Ombersley beat Nomads by nine runs. Ombersley struggled early on in their innings, thanks to some fine bowling from Dom Badger (3-29) and Josh Hawes (2-9) off their four overs respectively.
However, the lower order rallied, led by Jamie Hammond (24), and helped Ombersley to post a competitive 140-8.
Although in reply Badger hit 47, Nomads fell short off their 20 overs, finishing on 131-5.
Pershore took on Nomads in the final match to decide who topped the division.
Batting first, the Plums were once again led by Norton, who smashed 53 off just 31 balls. Davies (44), Taylor Pugh (39) and a quickfire 22 from Cross enabled the Plums to set an imposing target of 191.
In response Ollie Ranscombe cracked 43 off just 21 balls and, at 98-3 in the 11th over, the game appeared to be heading for a tense finish.
However, the departure of Joe Laugher (14) and then Hawes for an excellent innings of 40 saw the Nomads’ effort fizzle out.
Pugh (3-19) and Will Palmer (2-8) were the pick of the bowlers as Nomads were bowled out for 131.
With that victory securing them top spot in the division, the Plums can now look forward to a semi-final against opponents yet to be confirmed.
