Captain Jamie Spires hails team effort as Knowle and Dorridge are crowned champions

Sep 7 2009 by Mark Woodward, Birmingham Mail

KNOWLE & Dorridge skipper Jamie Spires praised his players after they clinched their first Premier Division title with a 55-run victory at neighbours Moseley.

“I know it’s a cliché but this has been a real team effort,” he admitted after his side ended Walsall’s three-year reign as champions.

“This is not a typical K&D side. There are no stars but plenty of home-grown players who have been key to the season.”

Spires has seen the likes of Ben Coley, Alec Baker, David Smith and Will Motteram work their way through the Station Road set-up and had a special word for Chris Davidson, whose four for 12 was instrumental in clinching victory at Moseley.

“That just sums up our season,” Spires added. “Chris Davidson has not been asked to bowl for six years and has patiently fielded. We ask him to bowl on Saturday and he does the business with four for 12.

“That shows what a team effort it has been where 18 to 20 players have been used during the season.

“And because we are a young side, we should be around for a few seasons to come.”

Nick Warren (38), Nick James (37) and Attiq Chishti (32) helped K&D to 169 all out, Ashfaf Hussein (four for 41) the main wicket-taker for the home side.

And with Davidson in such sparkling form Moseley fell well short of their target and were all out for just 114.

Elsewhere, Wolverhampton wrapped up the runners-up spot despite losing by six wickets at Walsall, a result that ensured last year’s champions maintained their place in the top flight.

Barnt Green were convincing eight-wicket victors over relegation favourites Leamington, thanks to half-centuries from Nathan Newport (55) and Gavin Shephard (50), while Bromsgrove also look destined for the drop after their losing draw at Kidderminster Victoria.

There was a losing draw for Kenilworth Wardens at Shrewsbury while Chris Booth’s unbeaten 60 helped Walmley to secure the honours at home to Himley.