The amateur ethos of the Lord’s Taverners John Bright Trophy was dealt a minor blow when some players in the Phoenix Group were spotted warming up for their match against solicitors Challinors by running around the boundary at the Britannic Park ground in Moseley.

Enthusiastic team organiser Neil Watkins was blamed for instigating this example of pre-match gamesmanship in the Birmingham corporate cricket tournament sponsored by fund managers Williams de Broë.

“Totally against team policy,” was the verdict of Phoenix captain Mike Hoyes.

Batting first, Challinors were unable to master the life assurance consolidator’s assured bowling attack.

Chasing a modest 132/8 total, Phoenix continued their impressive early Trophy form winning by ten wickets after opener Chris Acaster (35 rtd) gave his side a fine start hitting five fours in the second eight -ball over of the innings.

But he is unlikely to repeat his 2010 feat of averaging 175 in the trophy as his brother Jamie Acaster bowled him for ten during his firm’s opening trophy win against Ernst & Young.

A day earlier, No5 Chambers totalled just 61 against Shakepeare Putsman after they lost the key wicket of their captain Abdul Hafeez lbw for just four to a ball that kept low bowled by Yusuf Kola (1-9).

Solicitor Uchechi Chima was the main destroyer taking 4-8 getting good movement off the pitch and Michael Young (26*) ensured Shakespeares reached their target without any major alarms.

The week began with Deloitte beating Savilles in the battle of the tournament newcomers.

But it needed some skilful batting by opener Ammar Khan (38 rtd) and Bournville hockey club goalkeeper Richard Helliker (29*) against some impressive bowling to secure victory while Martin Chapman (3-11 and 24) had a fine all-round game for the victors.

RESULTS: Week 5
Monday May 23 – Savilles 141 in 15 overs (H Griffith 43, P Gough 18, M Chapman 3-11, R Helliker 2-11, M Lister 1-11) Deloitte 143/3 in 15.3 overs (A Khan 38 rtd, R Helliker 29*, M Chapman 24) Deloitte won by 7 wkts

Tuesday May 24 – No5 Chambers 61 in 11.4 overs ( M Hann 14, U Chima 4-8, M Young 2-3 , Y Kola 1-9) Shakespeare Putsman 62/2 in 11.2 overs (M Young 26*, H Miller 14*, A Wallace 1-6, M Anning 1-7). Shakespeares won by 8 wkts

Wednesday May 25 – Challinors 132 /8 in 16 overs (A Lee 35 rtd, J Magor 30, N Thorne 20, N Lucas 2-18, N Watkins 2-20, A Agarwal, 1-8, M Lewis 1-12, J Jacobs 1-13) Phoenix Group 136/0 in 14.1 overs (C Acaster 35 rtd, J Jeffrey 36*, S Clevett 34*) Phoenix Group won by 10 wkts