DUMBLETON’S experience was too much for newcomers Badsey in the Worcestershire Cricket Board Indoor League at Evesham’s Prince Henry’s High School.

Batting first in their 32-run win, they began steadily against tidy opening spells from Dave Stokes and Sam Attwood.

However, by the time Matt Nicholson was out for 22 with the score on 51, they had reached the half-way stage of the 12-over innings.

John Fish was out in the next over for 21 which brought in the experienced Andy Powell (26 not out).

By pushing the ball to the side walls and running, Powell and Tom Green took advantage of wayward bowling and Dumbleton finished on 122-3.

In reply, after the early loss of Sam Attwood, Jamie Anderson and Stokes batted well against the swing of Green and the more variable bowling of Fish.

By the end of the fifth over, the score was 48 and Green had finished his three overs for 21 runs.

However, the introduction of Dave Smith (2-22) and Pete Boorman’s 1-11, including a rare wicket maiden, had a marked effect on the run-rate.

Although Dan Andrew made a brave attempt to up the scoring, Badsey’s chase finished well short on 90-5.

Badsey conceded 28 wides and Dumbleton 24.

Ashton-under-Hill (101-0) also had too much experience for the other newcomers Prince Henry’s (100-5).

Tom Pilling smashed the first ball of the innings from Will Archer for four but was caught and bowled off the second.

Simon Price (28) and Elliott Thompson (26) recovered the position but Tom Archer bowled his three overs for only 11 runs.

Both batsmen had to retire and the batsmen then found trouble increasing the scoring rate.

Even though Price and Thompson returned, they were soon out before a competent effort from Mike Harris (16no) saw Prince Henry’s hit the century mark.

In reply, Ashton showed why they have been the team to beat at Evesham in recent years.

After two fairly unproductive overs from Mike Brown and Pilling, Will Archer (26no) and Richard Cooper (28no) increased the run-rate.

After both batsmen retired, Jonny Cooper and Rich Nicholls continued in the same fashion so the target of 101 was reached with 2.4 overs left and no wickets lost.

The county finals night will be on Tuesday, April 24, at Evesham from 6.30pm.