A GRITTY and determined performance by Leamington Khalsa earned them maximum points in their home clash against Birmingham-based Castle Brom in the Leamington League Division Two on Saturday.
After losing the toss, Indy Kalsi’s team were asked to bat first and another half century opening stand by Asaad Qureshi and Karanjit Sahota got the hosts off to a positive start.
A flurry of early boundaries greeted the opening bowlers before both were dismissed for 28.
Aman Kalsi got himself a start before he was bowled for 22 and at the drinks break Khalsa were 106 for four and still in a commanding position.
A middle order stutter halted progression before Taz Sharma came to the crease and blasted his way to 45 which included eight boundaries.
He was well supported by Jags Khunara who was bowled for 20 and Hardip Jheeta smashed a quick fire 21 not out in the latter stages of the innings as Khalsa were bowled out for 216 off 42 overs.
An impressive start with the ball by Tejpal Dulay got Khalsa off to the ideal start when he removed Sedgley (7) and Dolman (6) who were both caught in the first five overs.
Dulay then removed Poulton for seven leaving the visitors reeling at 57 for four before a wicket for Pardeep Sharma then had Castle Brom at 69 for five.
Apartnership from P Quinn and Kidson steadied the ship for the visitors but the hosts toiled hard and kept the bowling changes coming before they were rewarded when Kidson was caught behind off the bowling of Jags Khunara for 50.
Khunara then removed Y Afzal of 5 and A Afzal for 0 retuning with figures of 3 for 25 but with Quinn still at the crease Castle Brom felt they were still in the game.
However the introduction of Aman Kalsi changed that and he had Quinn caught by Indy Kalsi for 67 and finished the game off by getting V Manders caught at long off by Bops Natolanda for four as Khalsa narrowly won the game by 23 runs.
