OPENER Harrison Smith hit a century to keep Leamington firmly in the hunt for promotion after a winning draw against Tamworth in Birmingham & District Premier Division Two.
A haul of 125 runs prior to his lbw dismissal helped Spa on their way to a 303-7 total, with Sulaiman Hussain chipping in with a half-century.
Oliver Currill’s (4-31) bowling proved a threat to Tamworth’s batsmen, although the visitors were able to see out their innings to prevent Leamington from winning the contest outright.
The hosts won the toss and batted first, opening with a partnership of 74 between the aforementioned Smith and Jonathan Wigley (33) before the latter’s dismissal by Jason Jakeman.
Waqar Ahmed (27) was next at the crease, hitting 54 alongside Smith before being bowled at 128-2, while number four Hussain put on 101 alongside the Leamington top scorer.
Spa continued to add runs despite Smith’s eventual dismissal at 260-4, with William Mashinge (14) Currill (24) and Nabeel Ashgar (13) all reaching double figures to guide Leamington to their total.
Tamworth struggled to muster much of a reply to the target set, as Spa skittled out the first half of the visitor’s batting order in double-quick time.
Chris Calcott took the first of four catches from opener Jacob Flower at 6-1 from Joe Midgley’s ball, before catching a second from Currill’s delivery – this time to dismiss Ben Maddox (7).
Smith proved his fielding capabilities to take catches from Josh Rudge (0) and Callum Render from Currill and Mashinge deliveries respectively, while Matthew Davison (2-14) made a valuable contribution to the bowling effort.
Josh Bowker’s (13) dismissal after being caught by Ahmed from a Perry Derrick delivery left Tamworth staring down the barrel at 72-7, albeit before Daniel Bowker (55) and Scott Daly (39) laid on 72 to take the visitors to 154-8.
Edward Smith (7) was caught by Calcott from Currill’s delivery at 165-9, but rock bottom Tamworth remarkably managed to avoid losing a final wicket, claiming them seven points for their troubles.
Leamington take a valuable 18 points for their troubles, but hope to take a maximum haul when visiting Wolverhampton this Saturday (noon).
