WHITCHURCH teenager Alex Heath produced the performance of the Shropshire Premier League season on Saturday.
The 18 year old fast bowler starred as Whitchurch picked up a welcome 24 points at St Georges.
The tall right armer, who is on the ECB Pathway, is bowling as quick as anyone around at present, and he stunned the Dragons with seven of the first eight wickets including a sensational hat-trick as he took 7-26.
The key drama unfolded in the seventh over as he took the perfect fast bowlers trio of bowled, caught behind and lbw to destroy the Dragons' batting line up.
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Fast bowling restrictions meant Heath was limited to just the seven overs but it left the hosts 50-9 and with him gone they were able to reach 92 thanks mainly to club captain Faisal Khan who struck a breezy 37.
It was a total that could have potentially been a challenge for a side with known batting frailties and missing talisman Maz Hasnain.
However, despite losing regular wickets the classy Iftikhar Khan again showed the way and his 49no saw his side to 96-5.
Chairman chairman Iain Marsh praised Heath, saying: “He’s a great lad, a really popular member of the side and he’s really starting to fulfil his undoubted potential.
"I don’t think anyone likes facing him in the league with his height and pace.
"It’s a big win for us against a very dangerous side, it’s just a shame we are over 100 points behind Wellington.”
Wem were left frustrated after failing to take the last wicket for a second successive week as Madeley batted out a losing draw.
Wem had made a solid total of 244-9 with Sam Peate (60), Karabo Mogotsi (51) and Matt Cohen (33no) all helping to push the score along while Madeley conceded 54 extras.
Andy Laycock (43), Nadeem Ahmad (35) and Mithun Jayawickrema (31) guided Madeley to 218-9 in reply with Tyler Ibbotson producing his best bowling spell of the season with a fine 4-58 with support from Alex Ollerenshaw (2-36) and Harry Astley (2-47).
However, Steve Maden (13no) was able to see the game out at the death and earn a useful draw for his team and leave Wem frustrated.
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