AN EXCELLENT Matt Hancock spell spearheaded Kenilworth Wardens’ fine bowling and fielding effort at Barnt Green on Saturday, but rain arrived to force an abandonment before the visitors’ batsmen had the opportunity to complete the job in this Birmingham League Premier Division encounter.
The slow left-armer claimed 3-25, as the hosts struggled to 150 all out in 40 of their rain-reduced 43-over allocation.
He received good support from fellow spinners Sitanshu Kotak (2-15) and Mark Pidgeon (1-30) as the spin trio took charge after seamers Ali Wilkinson (2-28) and Dan Wood had combined to reduce Barnt Green to 37-3, including the prized wicket of the previous week’s Warwickshire debutant Sam Hain.
Opener Sam Cheshire stood firm for a fluent 61-ball 56, including three sixes and three fours, before being run out. He added 52 for the hosts’ fourth wicket with Ed Pollock (20), after which only former Leamington all-rounder Luke Radford made much impact, with 28.
Eian Marillier’s superb glovework was rewarded with four dismissals, before the ever-threatening cloud thickened to wash out proceedings at the mid-point.
Wardens entertain Himley on Saturday.
KENILWORTH recorded their first Warwickshire League Premier Division victory of the season as they won by 70 runs at Fillongley.
The visitors posted 174-9 from their 50 overs with Liam Newton the star of the day in hitting 37. Mike Watts made 30, Neil Goodman 26 and Dave Edmunds 21 as Fillongley’s Moore took 3-58, Sayed 2-16 and Gardener 2-30 with the ball.
Newton then continued his all-round performance by snapping up a tidy 4-31 with his pacy seamers, whilst Tom Pope chipped in with 2-8 with a stunning opening spell that went for only 8 runs and claimed the wickets of both Fillongley’s opening pair.
Joe Boyle also snapped up 2-16 whilst there was a wicket a piece for Jorjeet Singh and Ed Ruswa as Fillongley were bowled out for 104 after only surviving 25 overs to give Kenilworth a most welcome and deserved victory and 24 points.
Kenilworth host Olton & West Warwickshire on Saturday.
WARWICK claimed a stunning 18-run victory over visitors Peugeot in Warwickshire League Division Four despite making just 72 with the bat themselves.
Warwick were put into bat by the visitors on what turned out to be a tough wicket to bat on. A poor batting display followed, as only Matt Warren – fresh from his superb maiden century the previous weekend – made double figures with 28.
Warwick limped to a poor total of 72 all out thanks to good bowling from Ottley 5-24.
As the overcast conditioned threatened to interfere with the game, Peugeot set about chasing down 73 to win the game. They were reduced to 23-3 when the rain finally interfered, but the weather passed and Peugeot were able to return to the field to attempt to get the 50 more runs they required.
However, the Warwick bowling attack returned from the rain stoppage fired up and great bowling from paceman Steve Webb 4-18 and leg-spinner Anil Lohan 5-9 stunned the Peugeot batsmen who found themselves wanting and they fell short on 54 all out.
Warwick, who picked up 24 points, visit Collycroft on Saturday.
